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The Many Faces of MTA3 Protein in Normal Development and Cancers

Lang Ma, Zhimeng Yao, Weilun Deng

  • 1Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China. haozhang@stu.edu.cn.

Current Protein & Peptide Science
|April 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Metastasis-associated protein 3 (MTA3) plays complex roles in cancer, acting as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell migration and invasion. Its functions vary depending on the cancer context, differing from MTA1 and MTA2.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Metastasis-associated proteins (MTAs) are key regulators in physiological and pathological processes.
  • MTA3, the newest member of the MTA family, is gaining attention for its diverse roles.
  • While MTA1 and MTA2 are generally oncogenic, MTA3 exhibits context-dependent functions in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of MTA3's role in normal development, cancer, and other diseases.
  • To compare and contrast MTA3 with other MTA family members.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on MTA3.
  • Comparative analysis of MTA3's functions against MTA1 and MTA2.

Main Results:

  • MTA3 can act as a tumor suppressor by down-regulating Snail, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and repressing cancer cell invasion and migration.
  • MTA3 may promote cancer cell differentiation without affecting proliferation in certain cancers.
  • In some contexts, MTA3 may exhibit oncogenic properties similar to MTA1 and MTA2.

Conclusions:

  • MTA3 has multifaceted roles in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and potentially an oncogene.
  • Understanding the differential functions of MTA family members is crucial for cancer research and therapeutic development.

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