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Potential role of N-myristoyltransferase in cancer

Ponniah Selvakumar1, Ashakumary Lakshmikuttyamma, Anuraag Shrivastav

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, and Health Research Division, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, University of Saskatchewan, 20 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada S7N 4H4.

Progress in Lipid Research
|July 19, 2006
PubMed

Insights

N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) activity and expression are elevated in colorectal cancer, suggesting its potential as an early detection marker. NMT inhibitors may offer new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, necessitating improved preventive and therapeutic strategies.
  • Effective chemotherapeutic agents for colon cancer are limited, driving the search for novel cellular targets.
  • The role of protein myristoylation, mediated by N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), in cancer pathogenesis is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and potential of N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) in colorectal cancer and other malignancies.
  • To explore NMT as a potential biomarker for early cancer detection.
  • To evaluate NMT as a therapeutic target for anticancer drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of NMT activity and protein expression in human colorectal cancer, gallbladder carcinoma, and brain tumors.
  • Assessment of NMT activity during early stages of colonic carcinogenesis.
  • Review of laboratory findings on NMT in cancer.

Main Results:

  • NMT activity and protein expression were found to be significantly higher in human colorectal cancer, gallbladder carcinoma, and brain tumors.
  • Increased NMT activity was observed at an early stage of colonic carcinogenesis.
  • HSC70 and enolase are proposed as potential anticancer therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • NMT is upregulated in various human cancers, indicating its involvement in cancer pathogenesis.
  • NMT may serve as a valuable biomarker for the early detection of cancer.
  • Targeting NMT with specific inhibitors presents a promising avenue for developing novel anticancer therapies.

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