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The functions and regulation of Smurfs in cancers

Lin Fu1, Chun-Ping Cui2, Xueli Zhang3

  • 1Institute of Chronic Disease, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|January 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factors (Smurfs) have dual roles in cancer, acting as promoters or suppressors by influencing key cellular processes. Understanding Smurf regulation offers new cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Smad ubiquitination regulatory factors (Smurfs) are HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligases.
  • Initially identified for regulating Smad protein stability in TGF-β/BMP signaling.
  • Smurfs exhibit diverse E3 ligase-dependent and -independent activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of Smurfs in tumorigenesis.
  • To highlight Smurf regulation as a critical area in cancer biology.
  • To explore Smurf-targeted strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Smurf functions in various cancers.
  • Analysis of Smurf-dependent regulation of metastasis, apoptosis, cell cycle, senescence, and genomic stability.
  • Inclusion of findings from Smurf1- and Smurf2-deficient mouse models.

Main Results:

  • Smurfs function as both tumor promoters and suppressors.
  • Smurf activity and expression are crucial in diverse tumors.
  • Smurf-deficient mice provide in vivo insights into tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Regulation of Smurf activity and expression is a key focus in cancer research.
  • Targeting Smurfs presents novel therapeutic avenues for cancer.
  • Further research into Smurfs can advance cancer prevention and treatment.
Keywords:
CancerE3 ligaseSmurf1Smurf2Ubiquitination

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