This protein is conserved from worms to humans. The protein of 413 amino acids contains a central coiled-coil domain, possibly the region that binds to clusterin. Cluap1 expression is highest in the nucleus and gradually increases during late S to G2/M phases of the cell cycle and returns to the basal level in the G0/G1 phases. In addition, it is upregulated in colon cancer tissues compared to corresponding non-cancerous mucosa. It thus plays a crucial role in the life of the cell [1].

1: Isolation and characterization of a novel gene CLUAP1 whose expression is frequently upregulated in colon cancer. Takahashi M, Lin YM, Nakamura Y, Furukawa Y; Oncogene. 2004;23:9289-9294. PMID:15480429