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Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Focus Formation: A Cell-based Assay to Determine the Oncogenic Potential of a Gene
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Oncogenic Potential of the Dual-Function Protein MEX3A

Marcell Lederer1, Simon Müller1, Markus Glaß1

  • 1Charles Tanford Protein Center, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for Molecular Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany.

Biology
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Muscle EXcess (MEX3) proteins, including MEX3A, are involved in RNA binding and ubiquitination. Their re-expression in cancers correlates with poor prognosis and promotes tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Protein Biochemistry

Background:

  • MEX3 proteins (MEX3A-D) possess RNA-binding (KH domains) and E3 ligase (RING domain) functions.
  • These proteins exhibit an oncofetal expression pattern, downregulated postnatally but re-expressed in malignancies.
  • Re-expression of MEX3 proteins in cancer is linked to poor patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MEX3A in cancer progression.
  • To understand the functional implications of MEX3A's dual RNA-binding and E3 ligase activities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MEX3A domain structure and function.
  • In vitro studies on tumor cell proliferation, self-renewal, and migration.
  • In vivo xenograft studies to assess tumor growth.

Main Results:

  • MEX3A's domain structure supports its roles in RNA fate modulation and protein ubiquitination.
  • Enforced MEX3A expression in cancer correlates with poor prognosis.
  • MEX3A enhances tumor cell proliferation, self-renewal, migration, and xenograft tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • MEX3A possesses oncogenic potential, contributing to tumor progression through modulation of RNA and protein.
  • Targeting MEX3A may offer a therapeutic strategy for various malignancies.
Keywords:
KH domainMEX3ARING domainRNA bindingcanceroncofetalubiquitination

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