TP53 Induced Glycolysis And Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR)

TIGAR is regulated as part of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway and encodes a protein with sequence similarity to the bisphosphate domain of the glycolytic enzyme that degrades fructose-2,6-bisphosphate. The protein functions by blocking glycolysis and directing the pathway into the pentose phosphate shunt. Expression of this protein also protects cells from DNA damaging reactive oxygen species and provides some protection from DNA damage-induced apoptosis. The predicted 270-amino acid TIGAR protein is highly conserved in vertebrates, and it shares similarity with fructose bisphosphatases. Western blot analysis showed expression of a 30-kD protein.TIGAR selectively inhibited ROS-sensitive apoptosis in a cell type-specific manner, and it required the pentose phosphate pathway to function.