Cytoskeleton Associated Protein 4 (CKAP4)

p63, is a resident protein of a membrane network interposed in between rough ER and Golgi apparatus. To characterize p63 at the molecular level a 2.91 kb cDNA encoding p63 has been isolated from a human placenta lambda gt10 cDNA library. Sequence analysis of tryptic peptides prepared from isolated p63 confirmed the identify of the cloned gene. The human p63 cDNA exhibits a high level of sequence identify to the pig hepatic cDNA 3AL whose expression is enhanced after resuscitation from circulatory shock. An additional remarkable feature of p63 is that it becomes reversibly palmitoylated when intracellular protein transport is blocked by the drug brefeldin A. Overexpression of p63 in COS cells led to the development of a striking tubular membrane network in the cytoplasm.