Molecular mechanisms of inhibitor of growth (ING) family members in health and malignancy

Abstract

ING genes belong to family of tumor suppressor genes with regulatory functions on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. These include a family of proteins with 5 members (ING1-5), which are downregulated in human malignancies and/or affected by pathogenic mutations. ING proteins are highly evolutionarily conserved proteins containing several domains through which bind to chromatin structures by exerting their effects as readers of histone modification marks, and also binding to proteins like p53 involved in biological processes such as cell cycle regulation. Further, they are known as subunits of histone acetylation as well as deacetylation complexes and so exert their regulatory roles through epigenetic mechanisms. Playing role in restriction of proliferative but also invasive potentials of normal cells, INGs are particularly involved in cancer development and progression. However, additional studies and experimental confirmation are required for these models. This paper highlights the potential impact that INGs may have on the development of human cancer and explores what new information has recently arise on the functions of ING genes.

Prognostic significance of ING3 expression in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Previous studies have reported that ING3 expression varies in different types of cancer. Almost all in vitro studies have shown that ING3 has the ability to inhibit growth ( 47 ), however, it was found that ING3 can function as an oncogene in prostate cancer ( 30 ). Nabbi et al.…”

Simultaneous occurrence of two distinct histotypes of ovarian endometriosis-associated cancer in bilateral ovaries: implications for monoclonal histogenesis from a case report

“…The ING gene belongs to the tumour-suppressor gene family and has regulatory functions in cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell senescence ( 16 ). This family includes five members (ING1-5) that enhance p53 activity by inducing acetylation or increasing its stability ( 17 ). ING1 has been demonstrated to be a tumour suppressor in a variety of human cancers, including lung cancer ( 18 ), colorectal cancer ( 19 ), and prostate cancer ( 20 ).…”

Deciphering the dual roles of PHD finger proteins from oncogenic drivers to tumor suppressors

“…ING (Inhibitor of Growth) proteins are vital in cellular functions, bridging histone acetylation activities with chromatin through their conserved region of PHD ( Taheri et al, 2022 ). The PHD mediates interactions with methylated lysine residues in ING proteins, playing a crucial role in gene expression regulation and DNA damage response in cancer biology ( Jacquet and Binda, 2021 ).…”