Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Spectrophotometric Screening for Potential Inhibitors of Cytosolic Glutathione S-Transferases
14:57

Spectrophotometric Screening for Potential Inhibitors of Cytosolic Glutathione S-Transferases

Published on: October 10, 2020

Transglutaminase 2: a multi-tasking protein in the complex circuitry of inflammation and cancer

Kapil Mehta1, Aupam Kumar, Hong Im Kim

  • 1Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. kmehta@mdanderson.org

Biochemical Pharmacology
|July 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) plays a key role in cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. Inhibiting TG2 can enhance cancer therapy effectiveness and reduce cancer spread.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis and drug resistance are significant clinical challenges.
  • Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are linked to metastasis and drug resistance.
  • Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein involved in various cellular processes, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between TG2, EMT, and CSCs in cancer.
  • To discuss the role of TG2 in inflammation and cancer progression.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting TG2 in advanced-stage cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on TG2, EMT, CSCs, inflammation, and cancer.
  • Analysis of studies investigating TG2 expression and its association with cancer invasiveness and patient survival.
  • Examination of research on TG2 inhibition (siRNA, small molecule inhibitors) and its effects on therapeutic efficacy and metastasis.

Main Results:

  • Increased TG2 expression correlates with enhanced cancer cell invasiveness, survival, and reduced patient survival.
  • Down-regulation or inhibition of TG2 improves the efficacy of anticancer drugs and inhibits metastatic spread.
  • TG2-regulated pathways influence cell death signaling, contributing to drug resistance and metastatic progression.

Conclusions:

  • TG2 is a critical mediator in cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis.
  • Targeting TG2 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced-stage cancers.
  • Understanding TG2's role in EMT and CSCs is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.

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