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POPDC proteins as potential novel therapeutic targets in cancer

Johanna N Amunjela1, Steven J Tucker1

  • 1Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.

Drug Discovery Today
|July 27, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Popeye domain-containing (POPDC) proteins influence cancer progression. Their deletion promotes cancer growth and metastasis, while their overexpression inhibits it, suggesting POPDC proteins are potential anticancer targets.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Popeye domain-containing (POPDC) proteins are novel cAMP-binding molecules.
  • POPDC proteins are encoded by POPDC1, POPDC2, and POPDC3 genes.
  • These proteins impact cancer cell behavior and clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of POPDC proteins in cancer progression.
  • To highlight POPDC proteins as potential anticancer therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on POPDC genes and proteins in cancer.

Main Results:

  • POPDC gene deletion and protein suppression correlate with increased cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance.
  • Reduced POPDC expression is linked to poor patient survival in various human cancers.
  • Overexpression of POPDC proteins inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • POPDC proteins play a dual role in cancer, promoting progression upon deletion/suppression and inhibiting it upon overexpression.
  • POPDC proteins represent promising therapeutic targets for anticancer strategies.

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