A central role for the ring finger protein RNF11 in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis via interactions with E2s and E3s

The identification of novel tumor-associated genes represents an important area of cancer research. To that end, we have discovered a number of genes whose expression is altered in breast tumors. One of these genes has been identified as the ring finger protein 11 ( RNF11) and its expression is elevated in breast and prostate cancer. The RNF11 gene encodes a 154 amino-acid protein that contains a ring finger and a PY motif. RNF11 is capable of binding numerous proteins, which encompass a wide variety of cellular pathways and mechanisms. This gives RNF11 a corresponding breadth of functions, including involvement in TGF-beta and epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) signaling. In addition, RNF11 has the potential to mediate the ubiquitination and subsequent proteolysis of many cellular proteins. Thus, it may represent an important target of novel cancer therapies.