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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli
Published on: January 6, 2015
Shedding light on complexity of protein-protein interactions in cancer
Tae-Young Yoon1, Hong-Won Lee2
1School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.
Abstract:
Most cell signaling and surveillance circuits are physically maintained through a dense network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Genetic mutations, epigenetic changes as well as alterations in cellular microenvironment can markedly rewire the patterns of PPIs, which leads to neoplastic growth of cancer cells. There are accumulating evidences that drugs that target-specific PPI pairs may provide an opportunity to treat cancers with a higher specificity and efficacy than those inhibiting enzymatic activity of oncogenic proteins. Therefore, identification of driving PPIs in a given cancer not only improves our understanding for individual cancers, but it also provides therapeutic opportunities to cure the specific cancer. In this review, we introduce some examples of aberrant PPI complexes identified in several major types of cancers, and recent technical developments that permit assessment of PPI strength in clinical specimens. Finally, we discuss the potential use of such PPI profiling for the purpose of precision medicine.
Insights
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) offers a novel strategy for cancer treatment. Identifying key PPIs in cancers can lead to more specific and effective therapies for precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cell signaling relies on protein-protein interactions (PPIs).
- Rewiring of PPIs due to genetic or environmental changes drives cancer.
- Targeting PPIs shows promise for more specific cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review aberrant PPI complexes in major cancers.
- To discuss recent advancements in assessing PPI strength in clinical samples.
- To explore the potential of PPI profiling in precision medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on aberrant PPIs in various cancers.
- Discussion of emerging technologies for PPI assessment.
- Analysis of clinical applications of PPI profiling.
Main Results:
- Examples of aberrant PPI complexes in several major cancer types are presented.
- Recent technical developments for assessing PPI strength in clinical specimens are introduced.
- The potential of PPI profiling for precision medicine is discussed.
Conclusions:
- Aberrant PPIs are crucial in cancer development.
- New technologies enable PPI assessment in clinical settings.
- PPI profiling holds significant potential for personalized cancer treatment.
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