Identification of alternative protein partners of tumor suppressors from INK4 family

We have identified several putative interaction partners of INK4 family proteins using the in vitro techniques. An interaction of INK4b protein with lactoferrin was also confirmed in vivo in COS 7 cell line. However, experiments with endogenous proteins did not specifically confirm this interaction. Despite this, it will be interesting to pursue this model further, as both proteins are involved in the regulation of similar processes. The study of transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding c-Myb oncoprotein, identified a novel mechanism participating on the oncogenesis. We have shown that the gene is controlled by several distant regulatory regions in hematopoietic cells. Disruption of these sequences results in the activation of leukemogenic potential of c-Myb gene. These results provide a significant insight into the understanding of this important oncogene.