The quest for the 1p36 tumor suppressor

Genomic analyses of late-stage human cancers have uncovered deletions encompassing 1p36, thereby providing an extensive body of literature supporting the idea that a potent tumor suppressor resides in this interval. Although several genes have been proposed as 1p36 candidate tumor suppressors, convincing evidence that their encoded products protect from cancer has been scanty. A recent functional study identified chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 5 (CHD5) as a novel tumor suppressor mapping to 1p36. Here, we discuss evidence supporting the tumor-suppressive role of CHD5. Together, these findings suggest that strategies designed to enhance CHD5 activity could provide novel approaches for treating a broad range of human malignancies.