HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

The AP-2alpha transcription factor regulates tumor cell migration and apoptosis.

Abstract
AP-2 proteins are a family of developmentally-regulated transcription factors. They are encoded by five different genes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) but they share a common structure. AP-2 plays relevant roles in growth, differentiation, and adhesion by controlling the transcription of specific genes. Evidence shows that the AP-2 genes are involved in tumorigenesis and for instance, they act as tumor suppressors in melanomas and mammary carcinomas. Here we investigated the function of the AP-2alpha protein in cancer formation and progression focusing on apoptosis and migration. We introduced AP-2alpha-specific siRNA (as oligos or in retroviruses) in HeLa or MCF-7 human tumor cells and obtained a pronounced down-modulation of AP-2a mRNA and protein levels. In these cells, we observed a significant reduction of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, migration, and motility and an increase in adhesion suggesting a major role of AP-2a during cancer treatment and progression (migration and invasion). We have data suggesting that migration is, at least in part, regulated by secreted factors. By performing a whole genome microarray analysis of the tumor cells expressing AP-2alpha siRNA, we identified several AP-2alpha-regulated genes involved in apoptosis and migration such as FAST kinase, osteopontin, caspase 9, members of the TNF family, laminin alpha 1, collagen type XII, alpha 1, and adam.
AuthorsFrancesca Orso, Michela Fassetta, Elisa Penna, Alessandra Solero, Katia De Filippo, Piero Sismondi, Michele De Bortoli, Daniela Taverna
JournalAdvances in experimental medicine and biology (Adv Exp Med Biol) Vol. 604 Pg. 87-95 ( 2007) ISSN: 0065-2598 [Print] United States
PMID17695722 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factor AP-2
Topics
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Disease Progression
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genome, Human
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA, Small Interfering (metabolism)
  • Transcription Factor AP-2 (physiology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: