Pescadillo Homolog 1 (PES1)

PES1 is abnormally elevated in malignant tumors of astrocytic origin. It is a strongly conserved gene containing a BRCT domain that is essential for the activity of this gene product. The gene plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and may be necessary for oncogenic transformation and tumor progression.The deduced 588-amino acid PES1 protein is 74% identical to the zebrafish sequence. The authors noted the presence of a highly acidic region at the C terminus and that the protein has an alpha-helix structure. Immunoblot analysis showed that PES1 is expressed as an unmodified 72-kD protein and a SUMO1-modified 92-kD protein. In situ hybridization analysis revealed wide and high expression of Pes1 in embryonic mouse brain and spinal cord. Pes1 expression was upregulated in malignant, late-passage mouse astrocytes.