Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
08:01
The Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay
Published on: October 27, 2014
ANXA7 expression represents hormone-relevant tumor suppression in different cancers
Meera Srivastava1, Yelizaveta Torosyan, Mark Raffeld
1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, and Institute for Molecular Medicine, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine (USUHS), Bethesda, MD, USA. msrivastava@usuhs.mil
International Journal of Cancer
|August 22, 2007
Summary
Annexin-A7 (ANXA7) acts as a tumor suppressor, with decreased expression linked to invasive cancers. Its role in steroidogenesis suggests potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for hormone-related tumorigenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular oncology and biomarker discovery
- Cancer biology and tumor suppression mechanisms
Background:
- Annexin-A7 (ANXA7) is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in exocytosis and membrane fusion.
- Previous studies suggested ANXA7's tumor suppressor role based on mouse models and its involvement in prostate and breast cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the biomarker and tumor suppressor functions of ANXA7.
- To analyze ANXA7 expression patterns in various human tumors compared to normal tissues and the prostate-specific biomarker NKX3.1.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze ANXA7 and NKX3.1 protein expression.
- Human tissue microarrays of 4,061 specimens covering diverse tumors and normal tissues were examined.
- Gene expression profiling data from prostate and breast cancers (SMD) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Decreased ANXA7 expression correlated with high invasive potential across multiple tumor types.
- Lymph node metastases showed reduced ANXA7 expression compared to intact lymphatic tissues.
- ANXA7 downregulation was notable in glandular tumors, particularly neuroendocrine types, and linked to steroidogenesis and androgen sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- ANXA7 exhibits a validated tumor suppressor pattern across various cancers.
- ANXA7's association with steroidogenesis and hormone sensitivity positions it as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.
- Further research into ANXA7's role in modulating tumorigenesis via hormone and neurotransmitter pathways is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...