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Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
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Endogenous Anti-Cancer Candidates in GPCR, ER Stress, and EMT

Rohit Gundamaraju1, Wenying Lu2, Iman Azimi3

  • 1ER Stress & Mucosal Immunology Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia.

Biomedicines
|October 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review explores how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) influence cancer. It highlights specific proteins that can trigger apoptosis, offering potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Cellular responses to stimuli involve G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress).
  • GPCR signaling is crucial in many cancers and is a target for numerous clinical drugs.
  • Cancer cells often downregulate GPCRs to promote survival, proliferation, and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review critical mechanisms where GPCRs and ER stress pathways influence carcinogenesis.
  • To identify proteins that can induce apoptosis and serve as therapeutic targets in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on GPCRs, ER stress, and cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and cell survival.
  • Identification of pro-apoptotic proteins within these cellular systems.

Main Results:

  • GPCRs and ER stress pathways are frequently dysregulated in cancer, often promoting tumor survival and progression.
  • Mechanisms like the unfolded protein response (UPR) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are implicated in cancer progression.
  • Certain proteins within these pathways can paradoxically induce apoptosis, presenting therapeutic opportunities.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the dual role of GPCRs and ER stress in cancer is vital for developing effective treatments.
  • Targeting specific pro-apoptotic proteins offers a promising strategy to combat cancer.
  • Further research into these mechanisms can pave the way for novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
EMTER stressGPCRLPAcancercancer progressionmigration

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