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Moonlighting proteins in cancer

Kyung-Won Min1, Seong-Ho Lee2, Seung Joon Baek1

  • 1Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.

Cancer Letters
|October 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Moonlighting proteins, which function in multiple cellular locations, offer new insights into cancer. Understanding their dynamic movements and signaling pathways can improve cancer prognosis and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The classical view posits proteins function in a single cellular compartment.
  • Emerging evidence shows proteins can reside in multiple subcellular locations, enhancing cellular functions.
  • This multi-localization phenomenon, known as protein moonlighting, is crucial for complex biological behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review moonlighting proteins within the context of intracellular cancer signaling pathways.
  • To explore the role of dynamic protein translocation in cancer development and prognosis.
  • To highlight the potential of moonlighting proteins as therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on protein subcellular localization and function.
  • Analysis of cancer signaling pathways involving moonlighting proteins.
  • Integration of data on protein translocation dynamics and cancer outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Moonlighting proteins exhibit diverse functions depending on their cellular location.
  • Dysregulation of protein translocation is linked to cancer initiation and progression.
  • Quantitative assessment of protein movement offers prognostic value in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Moonlighting proteins play a significant role in coupled intracellular cancer signaling.
  • Understanding the transit and regulatory activity of these proteins is key to advancing cancer research.
  • Targeting moonlighting protein translocation presents a promising avenue for novel cancer interventions.
Keywords:
Dynamic proteinsMoonlighting proteinMulti-functional proteinsTranslocation

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