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The many forks in FOXO's road
Hien Tran1, Anne Brunet, Eric C Griffith
1Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neuroscience, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Summary
FOXO transcription factors regulate key cellular processes like metabolism and apoptosis. These evolutionarily conserved proteins are implicated in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and aging.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- FOXO proteins are a conserved subgroup of winged helix transcription factors.
- They regulate diverse cellular functions including metabolism, stress response, cell cycle, and apoptosis.
- FOXO factors are implicated in aging and diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the diverse roles of FOXO transcription factors.
- To highlight their involvement in cellular responses and organismal pathologies.
- To review regulatory pathways and target genes of FOXO proteins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on FOXO transcription factors.
- Analysis of research from model organisms, including nematodes.
- Examination of signaling pathways and target gene identification.
Main Results:
- FOXO proteins are crucial regulators of glucose metabolism, stress resistance, cell cycle control, and apoptosis.
- These transcription factors play significant roles in aging and diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
- Signaling pathways modulating FOXO activity and their target genes have been identified.
Conclusions:
- FOXO transcription factors are vital regulators of fundamental cellular processes.
- Their dysregulation contributes to various pathological conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and aging.
- Understanding FOXO signaling offers potential therapeutic targets for these diseases.