Expression of RAB27B is up-regulated in senescent human cells

Immortal SVts8 cells that express thermolabile SV40 T antigen exhibit a senescence-like phenomenon upon inactivation of the T antigen. By using a cDNA subtractive hybridization technique, RAB27B, a member of the RAB GTPase family, was found to be up-regulated in senescent SVts8 cells. The up-regulation of RAB27B depends on the p53 gene. Enhanced expression was also observed in replicative senescence in normal human fibroblasts.