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A Combined 3D Tissue Engineered In Vitro/In Silico Lung Tumor Model for Predicting Drug Effectiveness in Specific Mutational Backgrounds
Published on: April 6, 2016
EZH2, an on-off valve in signal network of tumor cells
Shanshan Sun1, Feng Yu2, Lun Zhang1
1The Maxillary Facial and Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhuxi Road, Tiyuanbei, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China.
Abstract:
Enhancer Zeste 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase catalyzing histone H3K27me3 to mediate gene silence. It is implicated in governing various biological behaviors of human malignancies. In this review, we over-review EZH2 serves as an "on-off valve"--not only as a critical epigenetic repressor, but as a brand-new activator for specific downstream targets as well. Time and space it "switching on-off" depends on the context and its cellular type. Moreover, EZH2 could act as a Tumor-Defender under certain circumstances. Moreover, the "Mutual-Inhibition" relationship between EZH2 and microRNAs is elaborated. In addition, we focus on different functions of phosphorylatied EZH2 in tumor cells. Finally, EZH2 inhibitors are summarized and newly-discovered strategies of targeting-EZH2 treatment are prospected.
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