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The role of ATF-2 in oncogenesis

Spiros A Vlahopoulos1, Stella Logotheti, Dimitris Mikas

  • 1Unit of Biomedical Applications, Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|March 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Activating Transcription Factor-2 (ATF-2) has dual roles in cancer, potentially promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. This review explores ATF-2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Activating Transcription Factor-2 (ATF-2) is a bZIP transcription factor with varied functions in mammalian cells.
  • ATF-2 regulates genes involved in cell proliferation, such as cyclin A, cyclin D, and c-jun, which are implicated in oncogenesis.
  • The role of ATF-2 in cancer is complex, with studies suggesting both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review signaling pathways that activate ATF-2.
  • To summarize ATF-2's downstream targets and their role in oncogenesis.
  • To examine ATF-2's function in carcinogenesis and its potential as a target for anticancer drug design.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of signaling pathways activating ATF-2.
  • Analysis of ATF-2 downstream targets, including cyclins and c-jun.
  • Examination of data from human cancer cell lines, tumors, and mouse models.

Main Results:

  • ATF-2 activation pathways and downstream targets involved in oncogenesis were identified.
  • Evidence suggests ATF-2 expression correlates with cancer cell phenotype maintenance.
  • Contrasting evidence indicates ATF-2 may also possess antiproliferative or apoptotic functions.

Conclusions:

  • ATF-2 plays a multifaceted role in carcinogenesis, influenced by cellular context and signaling.
  • A functional model for ATF-2 in carcinogenesis is proposed.
  • ATF-2 presents a potential target for novel anticancer therapeutic strategies.

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