Modulation of WHSC2 expression in human endothelial cells

WHSC2, a novel gene recently isolated within the critical region of Wolf-Hi rschhorn syndrome, is expressed in endothelial cells. WHSC2 is downregulate d by HIV-1 Tat, whereas it is not modulated by angiogenic and pro-different iative molecules. WHSC2 encodes a basic polypeptide of 528 amino acids. The in vitro translated protein shows a molecular weight of 57 kDa. WHSC2 has two nuclear translocation sequences which actively mediate its transport to the nucleus, as shown in whsc2-GFP-transfected NIH-3T3, We also found a he lix-loop-helix (HLH) motif in region 130-185, Since members of the HLH fami ly control differentiation and cell cycle progression, we hypothesize that WHSC2 may function as a transcriptional repressor. (C) 2000 Federation of E uropean Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.