Tumor suppressor 2, mitochondrial calcium regulator (TUSC2)

Tumor suppressor 2, mitochondrial calcium regulator (TUSC2, also known as FUS1), is a highly conserved tumor suppressor gene located at 3p21.31 in the human genome. It encodes a 110-amino acid protein with key motifs, including myristoylation and EF-hand calcium binding domains, enabling regulation of mitochondrial calcium, apoptosis, and cell cycle. TUSC2 is ubiquitously expressed, with loss of function implicated in a broad spectrum of cancers; its restoration promotes apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth. TUSC2 also modulates immune pathways and cellular stress responses, is under study as a target for systemic gene therapy in cancer, and participates in post-translational modifications such as myristoylation and ubiquitination which dictate its cellular stability. Its pseudogenes, regulatory mechanisms, and broad involvement in disease make TUSC2 a promising target for therapeutic intervention, especially in cancers with 3p21.3 deletions.

Other names

FUS1PDAP2PAPC3orf11Tumor suppressor candidate 2Tumor suppressor 2, mitochondrial calcium regulator

Restoration of TUSC2 function leads to apoptosis in cancer cells (intrinsic apoptotic pathway upregulation). Regulates calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function, affecting signaling pathways including EGFR, AKT, AMPK, p53, and others. Inhibits cell cycle progression and migration.