The coiled-coil domain is a structural motif found in proteins that are involved in a diverse array of biological functions such as the regulation of gene expression, cell division, membrane fusion and drug extrusion and delivery. CCDC42 (coiled-coil domain containing 42) is a 316 amino acid protein encoded by a gene that maps to human chromosome 17p13.1. Encoding over 1,200 genes, chromosome 17 comprises over 2.5% of the human genome. Two key tumor suppressor genes are associated with chromosome 17, namely, p53 and BRCA1. Tumor suppressor p53 is necessary for maintenance of cellular genetic integrity by moderating cell fate through DNA repair versus cell death. Malfunction or loss of p53 expression is associated with malignant cell growth and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
