Analysis of the domain requirement in Gas1 growth suppressing activity.

The product of the growth arrest specific gene, gas1, is a membrane-associated protein which activates a p53-dependent growth suppression signalling pathway. We have shown that Gas1 is linked to the plasma membrane through a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Several GPI-anchored protein have been identified as part of receptor complexes either as co-receptors or as membrane bound ligands. In this report, we characterize the Gas1 domains required for its growth suppression function and demonstrate the dispensability of Gas1 GPI anchor.