Identification and Characterization of Post-Translational Modifications on EAF1 and EAF2 in Prostate Cancer

The project was to determine how the tumor suppressors ELL-associated factors 12 EAF1 and EAF2 are regulated in the prostate and the functions of EAF1 and EAF2 by examining an observed protein modification 50 kDa heavier than the predicted weight of EAF1 and EAF2 and to determine how sumoylation and protein degradation affect EAF1 and EAF2 sub-cellular localization. Work on specific aim 1, identifying the modification, discovered that the modification was most likely a homodimerization that can be observed under denaturing conditions. Mutating the potential sumoylation sites did not affect modification. It was determined by the thesis committee that finishing the EAF1 and EAF2 modification project would take longer than the allotted grant time. The recommendation is to switch to a project examining how EAF2 interacts with FOXA1 and HMGB1. The new project pursues the same issues, EAF1 and EAF2 function and regulation, from a different angle.