Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

The helicase-like transcription factor and its implication in cancer progression

G Debauve1, A Capouillez, A Belayew

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons-Hainaut, Pentagone 3A- Avenue du Champ de Mars, 6, B-7000, Mons, Belgium.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|November 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF) gene shows contradictory roles in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene. This review reconciles these findings to clarify HLTF's complex role in cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF) is a member of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling family.
  • SWI/SNF genes are frequently altered in various cancers, indicating their potential tumor suppressor functions.
  • HLTF inactivation via hypermethylation in tumors suggests a tumor suppressor role, but overexpression in cancer cells indicates oncogenic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconcile conflicting data on the role of HLTF in cancer.
  • To clarify the dual function of HLTF in tumor development and progression.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of HLTF's involvement in carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and data synthesis.
  • Analysis of studies investigating HLTF expression and function in cancer.
  • Reconciliation of contradictory findings regarding HLTF's oncogenic or tumor-suppressive activities.

Main Results:

  • HLTF inactivation through hypermethylation is observed in colon, gastric, and uterine tumors, suggesting tumor suppressor activity.
  • HLTF overexpression (up to 20-fold) is detected in transformed cell lines, implying an oncogenic role.
  • HLTF activation is linked to early stages of carcinogenesis in experimental models.

Conclusions:

  • HLTF exhibits context-dependent functions in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene.
  • The specific role of HLTF in cancer progression is complex and requires further investigation.
  • Understanding HLTF's dual role is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.

More Related Videos

Generating the Transcriptional Regulation View of Transcriptomic Features for Prediction Task and Dark Biomarker Detection on Small Datasets03:37

Generating the Transcriptional Regulation View of Transcriptomic Features for Prediction Task and Dark Biomarker Detection on Small Datasets

Published on: March 1, 2024

Related Concept Videos

DNA Helicases00:55

DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
Transcription Elongation Factors02:35

Transcription Elongation Factors

Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
General Transcription Factors01:30

General Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...