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Urotensin-II Receptor: A Double Identity Receptor Involved in Vasoconstriction and in the Development of Digestive

Alessandro Federico1, Silvia Zappavigna, Marcello Dallio

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Via Pansini 5 80131 Naples, Italy. Select country.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|June 25, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Urotensin II and its receptor regulate cancer cell growth and invasion. This axis shows potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in various human cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Urotensin II and its receptor are key regulators of vasoconstriction, impacting blood pressure-related diseases like hypertension.
  • Emerging research implicates Urotensin II and its receptor in metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and schizophrenia.
  • Recent evidence strongly suggests a role for Urotensin II and its receptor in the initiation and progression of epithelial cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor axis in the development and progression of human epithelial cancers.
  • To explore the axis's influence on cancer cell behavior, including growth, motility, and invasion.
  • To assess the potential of Urotensin II and its receptor as prognostic markers in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor expression and function in various human cancer cell lines (breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal, glioblastoma).
  • Investigation of the axis's regulation of key signaling molecules, including focal adhesion kinase and small Guanosine-5'-triphosphate binding proteins.
  • Correlation of Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor expression in tumor tissues with patient clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor axis was found to regulate cell growth, motility, and invasion in multiple human cancer types.
  • The axis influences signaling pathways involving focal adhesion kinase and small Guanosine-5'-triphosphate binding proteins, contributing to cancer cell motility and invasion.
  • Tumor expression levels of Urotensin II and its receptor are variably associated with patient prognosis, suggesting their utility as predictive markers.

Conclusions:

  • The Urotensin II and Urotensin-II receptor axis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of human epithelial cancers.
  • This axis presents a promising novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
  • Urotensin II and its receptor represent potential molecular markers for predicting cancer patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Urotensin-II receptorscancer prognostic markerdigestive tract cancers

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