ΔN-ASPP2, a novel isoform of the ASPP2 tumor suppressor, promotes cellular survival

ASPP2 is a tumor suppressor that works, at least in part, through enhancing p53-dependent apoptosis. We now describe a new ASPP2 isoform, Delta N-ASPP2, generated from an internal transcription start site that encodes an N-terminally truncated protein missing a predicted 254 amino acids. Delta N-ASPP2 suppresses p53 target gene transactivation, promoter occupancy, and endogenous p53 target gene expression in response to DNA damage. Moreover, Delta N-ASPP2 promotes progression through the cell cycle, as well as resistance to genotoxic stress-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Additionally, we found that Delta N-ASPP2 expression is increased in human breast tumors as compared to adjacent normal breast tissue; in contrast, ASPP2 is suppressed in the majority of these breast tumors. Together, our results provide insight into how this new ASPP2 isoform may play a role in regulating the ASPP2-p53 axis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.