Human APE/Ref-1 protein.

Human apurinic (apyrimidinic) endonuclease/redox-factor 1 (APE/Ref-1) is an ubiquitously expressed multifunctional protein of 36.5 kDa which is encoded by a approximately 3 kb gene localized on chromosome 14. APE/Ref-1 is involved in the repair of DNA damage as well as in the transcriptional regulation of genes. The repair function of the protein is located on its C-terminal region. Activation of transcription factors, which occurs via a redox-based mechanism, pertains to a approximately 6 kDa N-terminal fragment with Cys-65 being of essential importance. APE/Ref-1 is part of the cellular response to oxidative stress and protects cells from the genotoxic and cytotoxic effect of oxidizing agents. Thus, specific downmodulation of APE/Ref-1 activity in tumors might be considered as a novel therapeutic approach in tumor therapy.