Hypoxia Up Regulated 1 (HYOU1)

HYOU1 is a protein belongs to the heat shock protein 70 family. This gene has three mRNAs from the use of alternative transcription sites. A cis-acting segment is found at the 5' end of exon 1A which is involved in the stress-dependent induction. The transcript that begins with exon 1B is preferentially induced by hypoxia, resulting in the accumulation of this protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The protein encoded by this gene is thought to play an important role in protein folding and secretion in the ER. Since suppression of the protein is associated with accelerated apoptosis, it is also suggested to have an important cytoprotective role in hypoxia-induced cellular perturbation. This protein has been shown to be up-regulated in tumors, especially in breast tumors, and thus it is associated with tumor invasiveness.