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Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and calcium signaling in cancer

Roland Kaufmann1, Morley D Hollenberg

  • 1Experimental Transplantation Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747, Jena, Germany. roland.kaufmann@med.uni-jena.de

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Proteinase activated receptors (PARs) are involved in epithelial cancer progression. Targeting PAR signaling pathways, specifically calcium ion concentrations, offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Signaling
  • G protein-coupled receptors

Background:

  • Proteinase activated receptors (PARs) are a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors.
  • PARs are expressed in various epithelial cancers and influence tumor progression and metastasis.
  • Intracellular calcium ion concentration is a critical second messenger in PAR signaling networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of PAR signaling via intracellular calcium in cancer.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the PAR-calcium signaling pathway in epithelial cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on PARs and calcium signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in PAR activation and calcium mobilization.
  • Discussion of potential therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • PARs activate intracellular signaling cascades that lead to elevated intracellular calcium levels.
  • This calcium signaling plays a role in tumor progression and metastasis.
  • The PAR-calcium pathway is a promising target for novel cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • PARs significantly contribute to epithelial cancer development and spread through calcium signaling.
  • Targeting the PAR-calcium pathway presents a viable therapeutic strategy for epithelial cancers.

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