Inhibitor of growth protein 3 (ING3)

Inhibitor of growth protein 3 (ING3) is a chromatin-associated protein and a member of the ING family, characterized by a conserved plant homeodomain (PHD) finger that recognizes methylated lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me3)[2][3][6][8]. ING3 acts as a bivalent reader of chromatin modifications and is required for efficient DNA repair (ATM signaling) and for facilitating acetylation of histones H2A and H4 through the NuA4-Tip60 histone acetyltransferase complex[2][3][6][7][8]. ING3 has context-dependent functions, acting as a tumor suppressor in most cancers via induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (often p53-dependent), but can also serve as an oncoprotein and chromatin coactivator in prostate cancer through androgen receptor interaction[2][5]. ING3 mutations and altered expression are associated with several cancers, and its nuclear level serves as a prognostic biomarker (higher nuclear ING3 correlates with better outcomes in some cancers)[5][9]. The protein’s structure features an antiparallel coiled-coil homodimerization domain and a C-terminal PHD finger domain for histone binding[3][6]. Therapeutic targeting of ING3 is under investigation primarily for its roles in cancer biology, but no drugs currently target ING3 directly[5][9].

Other names

p47ING3HSPC301FLJ20089Eaf4inhibitor of growth protein 3ING3

For hypothetical drugs targeting ING3 (none currently in use): Modulation of chromatin accessibility/transcription via ING3's interaction with H3K4me3 Alteration of histone acetylation (via NuA4-Tip60 complex recruitment) Impact on p53 pathway activity and apoptosis Modulation of androgen receptor signaling (in prostate cancer)