Chromosomal localization of human GRIM-19, a novel IFN-beta and retinoic acid-activated regulator of cell death

Apoptosis is a tightly regulated mechanism that controls the proliferation of cells in metazoans, In mammals, multiple genes are required to regulate cell death, We have employed a gene expression knockout technique to isolat e cell death-related genes, One such gene, gene associated with retinoid-in terferon-induced mortality-19 (GRIM-19), is essential for tumor cell death induced by interferon-beta (IFN-beta) and retinoic acid (RA), Here, we desc ribe the localization of GRIM-19 to human chromosome 19p13.2. This region i s essential for prostate tumor suppression. Together with its death-inducti ve role in the IFN-retinoid-regulated pathways and the tumor-suppressive fu nction of this locus, the data suggest that GRIM-19 may be a novel tumor su ppressor.