Family with sequence similarity 72 member A (FAM72A)

Family with sequence similarity 72 member A (FAM72A) is a mitosis-promoting protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of the cell cycle, genome integrity, and neural stem cell biology[1][5][9]. FAM72A is highly expressed in cancer cells and acts by interacting with uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG2), thus participating in DNA base excision repair to prevent mutagenesis[1][3]. Its overexpression is correlated with increased proliferative activity in tumor specimens, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis and its utility as a prognostic cancer biomarker[1]. In addition, FAM72A is reciprocally regulated with Srgap2 by growth and differentiation signals, and is implicated in the balance between neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation[1]. Small molecules, notably withaferin B, have been identified in silico to prevent FAM72A-UNG2 interaction, supporting the potential for targeted cancer therapies[3]. FAM72A may also play a role in regulating cellular reactive oxygen species metabolism[2][6][9], and has been associated with diseases including cancer and autism spectrum disorder, although its role in the latter is less clear[5].

Other names

Protein FAM72AUGENELatent membrane protein 1-induced proteinLMP1-induced proteinLMPIPMGC57827RP11-312O7.1p17Ugene

Inhibition of FAM72A-UNG2 interaction (by interfering with FAM72A’s protein–protein association that is critical for base excision repair and cell cycle modulation)