Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
07:41
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
2.9K
Metastasis suppressors: functional pathways
Imran Khan1, Patricia S Steeg1
1Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Summary
Metastasis suppressor genes inhibit cancer spread without impacting primary tumor growth. This review identifies common pathways targeted by these genes, offering insights for improved cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Metastasis is a complex process and a leading cause of cancer-related death.
- Metastasis suppressor genes are crucial as they inhibit cancer spread to secondary sites.
- Understanding these genes' mechanisms is vital for developing effective cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a literature survey of metastasis suppressor genes.
- To identify common downstream pathways targeted by metastasis suppressor genes.
- To provide insights for improving metastasis treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and survey of existing research on metastasis suppressor genes.
- Analysis of identified genes to determine common molecular targets and pathways.
- Synthesis of information regarding the functional roles and context-dependent nature of these genes.
Main Results:
- Metastasis suppressor genes target multiple key pathways including MAPK, G-protein-coupled receptor, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal, and transcriptional regulation.
- Most metastasis suppressor genes are multifactorial, inhibiting metastasis at various stages.
- The function of many metastasis suppressor genes is context-dependent.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of the common pathways and molecules affected by metastasis suppressor genes is essential.
- Identifying these common targets can lead to improved therapeutic strategies for combating cancer metastasis.
- Further research into metastasis suppressor gene networks holds promise for advancing cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
6.1K
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.1K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
9.9K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.9K
02:30Metastasis
6.7K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.7K
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
7.4K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
7.4K
01:41Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways
8.5K
Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
8.5K
02:54Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
10.7K
The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
10.7K