Understanding the Function of INI-1 Through Proteomics Analysis

Abstract

INI-1 is a protein that is part of the SWF/SNF complex, and has been thought to maintain the cell cycle and mitotic spindle (Biegel 2006; Ginn and Gajjar 2012).  Little research has been done on this protein so its function is still somewhat unknown along with its structure.  The research completed in this study was done to gain more knowledge about the function of INI-1 based on the other proteins that are associated with it.  The importance of this specific protein is because of development of Atypical Teratoid/ Rhabdiod Tumors or AT/RT in cells that lack INI-1 (Reddy 2005).  AT/RT is a fatal pediatric brain cancer that has no proved treatments, and is diagnosed by the partial or complete deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 which is where the protein INI-1 is located. In this study I identify proteins that associate with INI-1 and discuss how this data helps to determine INI-1’s function in the cell.