Background of the antigen
UVRAG, also known as p63 or DHTX, is a 699 amino acid cytoplasmic protein. UVRAG has been shown to activate the BECN1/PI 3-kinase complex, which promotes autophagy. Autophagy is the degradation of cellular proteins in the lysosomes, and when this pathway is suppressed, cell growth is deregulated. Mutations in the gene encoding UVRAG have been associated with colon cancer, suggesting that UVRAG is also involved in suppressing the proliferation and tumorigenicity of human colon cancer cells. UVRAG has been found to complement the ultraviolet sensitivity of xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells. Ubiquitously expressed, UVRAG is found at highest levels in kidney, lung, liver and brain. UVRAG contains one C2 domain, which is thought to be involved in calcium-dependent phospholipid binding.
