S2-6 is a novel protein coded by a complimentary DNA clone discovered by university researchers during screening of the Werner syndrome cDNA library for overexpressed genes, which are involved in senescence of human fibroblasts. The data confirm that the S2-6 cDNA codes for a novel LIM protein specific for non-proliferating cells, whose function is involved in the inhibition of DNA synthesis. The LIM protein contains zinc finger DNA binding domains reminiscent of the emerging family of LIM proteins, which have a role in the regulation of cell growth. The mRNA is exclusively expressed in non-proliferating normal cells. Injection of antisense into normal non-proliferating human fibroblast stimulates DNA synthesis, indicating that the S2-6 role is in the inhibition of DNA synthesis. This family of genes is defined by the presence of 1-3 repeats of a 52 residue segment containing two adjacent zinc binding domains separated by a 2 residue linker.

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Patent Status: Issued US# 5,959,081 License Status: Available for non-exclusive License

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