Growth Arrest Specific Protein 7 (GAS7)

Growth arrest-specific (GAS) genes are expressed preferentially in cells that enter a quiescent state. The gene had originally been identified in serum-starved murine fibroblasts.

GAS7 transcripts encode a 48-kD protein containing a structural domain that resembles sequences of OCT2, a POU transcription factor implicated in neuronal development, and synapsins, e.g., synapsin I (SYN1), which have a role in modulating neurotransmitter release. Conversely, GAS7 overexpression in undifferentiated neuroblastoma cell cultures dramatically promotes neurite-like outgrowth. Collectively, the results provided evidence for an association between expression of GAS7 and neuronal development.