trnp: A conserved mammalian gene encoding a nuclear protein that accelerates cell-cycle progression

We herein describe a novel protein encoded by a single exon in a single-copy conserved mammalian gene. This protein, termed TMF regulated nuclear protein (TRNP), was identified in a yeast "two-hybrid" screen in which the "BC box" containing protein-TMF/ARA160 served as a bait. TRNP is a basic protein which accumulates in an insoluble nuclear fraction in mammalian cells. It is 227 aa long in humans and chimps and 223 aa long in mice. Enforced expression of TRNP in cells that do not express this protein significantly increased their proliferation rate by enhancing their cell-cycle progression from the G0/G1 to the S phase. Like another proliferation promoting factor, Stat3, TRNP was directed to proteasomal degradation by TMF/ARA160. Thus, the trnp gene encodes a novel mammalian conserved nuclear protein that can accelerate cell-cycle progression and is regulated by TMF/ARA160.