Review
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World J Biol Chem. Aug 26, 2014; 5(3): 308-320
Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i3.308
KAPtain in charge of multiple missions: Emerging roles of KAP1
Chun-Ting Cheng, Ching-Ying Kuo, David K Ann
Chun-Ting Cheng, Ching-Ying Kuo, David K Ann, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, United States
Chun-Ting Cheng, David K Ann, Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, United States
Author contributions: Cheng CT, Kuo CY and Ann DK contributed solely to this paper.
Correspondence to: David K Ann, PhD, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Rm4115, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, United States. dann@coh.org
Telephone: +1-626-3598111 Fax: +1-626-4717204
Received: November 28, 2014
Revised: March 21, 2014
Accepted: June 20, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: This review article primarily summarizes the current findings of KAP1/TRIM28/TIF1β, with focuses on its biochemical and physiological functions. Both the canonical transcriptional co-repressor function and the transcriptional-independent roles of KAP1 are discussed in detail. We highlight the post-translational modifications and the compartmentalized localization of KAP1 and suggest that the function of KAP1 could be spatial and temporal regulated in multiple physiological circumstances. Finally, we summarize the clinical relevance of KAP1 in cancer and discuss the possibility to translate the mechanistic studies of KAP1 to human pathophysiology in the future.