FAT10, a gene up-regulated in various cancers, is cell-cycle regulated

Background: FAT10 is a member of the ubiquitin-like-modifier family of proteins. Overexpression of the FAT10 gene was observed in the tumors of several epithelial cancers. High FAT10 expression was found to lead to increased chromosome instability via the reduction in the kinetochore localization of MAD2 during the prometaphase stage of the cell-cycle. FAT10 expression was also previously reported to be regulated by cytokines and p53. Results: Here, we report that FAT10 expression is regulated at the protein and transcript level during cell-cycle with highest expression observed during the S-phase of the cell-cycle. The distal region between-1997 to -975 bp from the transcription start site of the FAT10 promoter may play a role in the repression of FAT10 expression during G2/M phase of the cell-cycle. Conclusion: FAT10 expression is regulated during cell-cycle.