PDZ And LIM Domain Protein 4 (PDLIM4)

PDLIM4 contains a LIM/double zinc finger domain but lacks a homeodomain. Northern blot analysis revealed expression in a wide variety of mouse tissues. The human RIL gene encodes a 328-amino acid polypeptide. PCR of human fetal brain identified an alternatively spliced mRNA that lacks the sixth exon, leading to the loss of the LIM domain.RIL gene was methylated in a high proportion of cancers, with highest methylation in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and colon cancer. Methylation was associated with loss of RIL expression, and RIL could be reactivated by the hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2-prime-deoxycytidine. Restoration of RIL expression in colon cancer cells by stable transfection resulted in reduced cell growth and clonogenicity and an approximately 2-fold increase in apoptosis following ultraviolet exposure.