Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Characterization Of The Anti-Apoptotic Function Of The Lysine Demethylase Plant Homeodomain Finger Protein 8 (Phf8), Kimberly Muranko

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Apoptosis is an essential process in development and tissue maintenance. The tumor suppressor protein p53 initiates apoptosis through transactivation of pro-apoptotic genes when cellular stress is detected. This study identifies a regulatory role for the lysine demethylase, PHF8, in the p53-mediated apoptosis pathway. We initially suspected PHF8 of demethylating the adaptor protein Numb, however found this to be untrue. PHF8 has been found to have oncogenic properties including an anti-apoptotic effect, however how PHF8 negatively affects apoptosis has not been previously investigated. We found PHF8 inhibits translation of the pro-apoptotic genes TP53, BAX and CASP3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed …