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Metastasis-associated protein 1/nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase complex in cancer

Da-Qiang Li1, Suresh B Pakala, Sujit S Nair

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia 20037, USA.

Cancer Research
|January 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is overexpressed in cancers and drives tumor growth. New research reveals MTA1 also plays roles in DNA repair, inflammation, and infection, suggesting broader therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Cancer cells often deregulate coregulatory molecules for growth and metastasis.
  • The metastasis-associated protein (MTA) family, part of the NuRD complex, is crucial.
  • MTA1 is overexpressed in many human cancers and acts as both a corepressor and coactivator.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding MTA1's roles in cancer.
  • To explore MTA1's functions beyond oncogenesis, including in DNA damage, inflammation, and infection.
  • To discuss the potential of MTA1-targeted therapies for various pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on MTA1.
  • Analysis of MTA1's involvement in cellular transformation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • Investigation of MTA1's interactions with oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and pathogen-related processes.

Main Results:

  • MTA1 is vital for cancer cell transformation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and regulating key cancer molecules.
  • MTA1 exhibits novel physiological functions in DNA damage response, inflammation, and as a gatekeeper for cancer-causing parasites.
  • MTA1 acts through mechanisms independent of the NuRD complex and transcription.

Conclusions:

  • MTA1 has multifaceted roles in oncogenesis, DNA repair, inflammation, and infection.
  • MTA1's diverse functions suggest its potential as a therapeutic target beyond cancer.
  • Targeting MTA1 may offer new treatment strategies for inflammation and pathogen-driven diseases.

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