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Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
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Published on: March 26, 2018

Adhesion family of G protein-coupled receptors and cancer

Hsi-Hsien Lin1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. hhlin@mail.cgu.edu.tw

Chang Gung Medical Journal
|April 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Adhesion-GPCRs, a large receptor family, are linked to cancer. This review details their roles in tumor growth, metastasis, and potential as cancer biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Adhesion-GPCRs are the second largest GPCR subfamily in humans.
  • They possess a unique structure with extracellular cell-adhesion and transmembrane domains.
  • These receptors are typically found in the nervous, immune, and reproductive systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expressional characteristics of adhesion-GPCRs in cancer.
  • To elucidate the functional roles of cancer-associated adhesion-GPCRs in tumorigenesis.
  • To explore the potential of adhesion-GPCRs as cancer biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on adhesion-GPCRs and cancer.
  • Analysis of expression patterns of adhesion-GPCRs in various human cancers.
  • Examination of functional data linking adhesion-GPCRs to cancer development.

Main Results:

  • Aberrant expression of specific adhesion-GPCRs is observed in human cancers.
  • These receptors influence tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Certain adhesion-GPCRs show promise as biomarkers for specific cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • Adhesion-GPCRs play multifaceted roles in cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding their aberrant expression and function is crucial for cancer research.
  • Adhesion-GPCRs represent potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers in oncology.

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