Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 (PTPN11) Phosphatase Inhibitors
08:45

Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 (PTPN11) Phosphatase Inhibitors

Published on: July 17, 2020

Phosphorylated tubulin adaptor protein CRMP-2 as prognostic marker and candidate therapeutic target for NSCLC

Erik Oliemuller1, Rafael Peláez, Saray Garasa

  • 1Oncology Division, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 55 Pamplona, Spain.

International Journal of Cancer
|October 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2) phosphorylation in lung cancer cells correlates with poor prognosis in untreated patients. Impaired CRMP-2 phosphorylation promotes apoptosis, suggesting it as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2) is crucial for microtubule dynamics and has roles beyond the nervous system.
  • CRMP-2's function in cell division and its potential role in lung cancer require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of CRMP-2 and its phosphorylation in lung cancer cell division.
  • To determine if CRMP-2 phosphorylation status serves as a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Main Methods:

  • Exploration of CRMP-2 and phosphorylated CRMP-2 (p-CRMP-2) expression in 91 NSCLC patient samples.
  • In vitro analysis using cell division models, confocal microscopy, and immunoprecipitation assays.
  • Utilized phosphodefective and phosphomimetic CRMP-2 mutants to study phosphorylation effects.

Main Results:

  • High nuclear p-CRMP-2 levels correlated with poor prognosis in untreated NSCLC patients.
  • CRMP-2 differentially colocalizes with the mitotic spindle during cell division.
  • Altered CRMP-2 phosphorylation affected mitotic tempo, increased multinucleated cells, induced p53 expression, and promoted apoptosis via caspase 3 activation.

Conclusions:

  • CRMP-2 phosphorylation status is a potential prognostic marker for NSCLC.
  • CRMP-2 phosphorylation impairment or silencing can induce apoptosis, highlighting CRMP-2 as a potential therapeutic target in cancer therapy.

More Related Videos

Genetic Profiling and Genome-Scale Dropout Screening to Identify Therapeutic Targets in Mouse Models of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor09:33

Genetic Profiling and Genome-Scale Dropout Screening to Identify Therapeutic Targets in Mouse Models of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

Published on: August 25, 2023

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...