Sequestosome-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SQSTM1 gene. [5] [6] [7] Also known as the ubiquitin-binding protein p62, [8] it is an autophagosome cargo protein that targets other proteins that bind to it for selective autophagy. By interacting with GATA4 and targeting it for degradation, it can inhibit GATA-4 associated senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype. [9]
Mutations in SQSTM1 are a common cause of Paget's disease of bone. [10]
Sequestosome 1 has been shown to interact with:
The SQSTM1 gene, which is actively transcribed as part of normal cellular function, is sometimes identified in fusion proteins, which can cause cancer when SQSTM1 is abnormally fused to a tyrosine kinase or other pro-proliferation gene. These genes are normally tightly regulated, but when bound to a minimally regulated gene like SQSTM1, they cause abnormal over-expression. [21]