Processing of MIA2 is important for its tumor suppressor function in hepatocellular carcinoma

Melanoma Inhibitory Activity 2 (MIA2) is a 451 amino acid protein exclusively expressed by hepatocytes in the liver. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, MIA2 expression is strongly downregulated and acts as a tumor suppressor. In contrast to the functional role of MIA2, the biochemical properties were not elucidated until today. The aim of this study was to determine modifications and processing of MIA2 and their relevance to MIA2 function as a tumor suppressor. Methods and Results: Computer algorithm analysis suggested membrane localization of MIA2 which was confirmed by cell fractioning and by labeling…