This gene encodes a tumor suppressor protein that can induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis. The encoded protein is a nuclear protein that physically interacts with the tumor suppressor protein TP53 and is a component of the p53 signaling pathway. Reduced expression and rearrangement of this gene have been detected in various cancers. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.[7]
One of the isoforms of ING1 (p33(ING1) is involved in the modulation of DNA repair.[8] It appears that p33(ING1) cooperates with p53 in nucleotide excision repair.[8] Also, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) interacts with p33(ING1b) in the elimination of UV-damaged cells through the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis).[9]
