Aatf, also known as Apoptosis Antagonizing Transcription Factor or Che-1, is a multifunctional protein highly conserved in eukaryotes. As an interacting partner of RNA polymerase II, it acts as a transcriptional co-activator regulating gene expression. Aatf is involved in multiple cellular pathways, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and survival. It affects the DNA damage response (DDR) and is crucial in ribosome biosynthesis [1,2].

In cancer research, Aatf has been found to be overexpressed in various malignancies including human hepatocellular carcinoma, bladder cancer, and head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma. In HCC, inhibiting Aatf disrupts tumor angiogenesis, potentially offering a new treatment approach [3]. In bladder and head-and-neck cancers, Aatf promotes cell growth, reduces cisplatin-induced apoptosis, and is associated with poor patient survival, suggesting it could be a therapeutic target [4,5]. In the context of neuronal ischemia/reperfusion injury, over-expressing Aatf reduces infarct volume and alleviates neuronal death by inhibiting parthanatos [6].

In conclusion, Aatf plays essential roles in multiple biological processes. Its overexpression in certain cancers and its protective role in neuronal injury highlight its significance in understanding disease mechanisms. The study of Aatf through in vivo models such as gene knockout (KO) or conditional knockout (CKO) mouse models could further elucidate its functions and potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancer and neuronal injury-related diseases.