Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: Deciphering the Role of ATM in Ataxia-Telangiectasia and the Associated Cerebellar Degeneration
08:41

Author Spotlight: Deciphering the Role of ATM in Ataxia-Telangiectasia and the Associated Cerebellar Degeneration

Published on: December 27, 2024

1.7K

ATM: Main Features, Signaling Pathways, and Its Diverse Roles in DNA Damage Response, Tumor Suppression, and Cancer

Liem Minh Phan1, Abdol-Hossein Rezaeian2

  • 1Department of Molecular & Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Genes
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The ATM gene is crucial for DNA damage response, acting as a tumor suppressor by inducing apoptosis. However, in advanced cancers, ATM signaling promotes tumor survival and metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) gene is a key regulator of the DNA-damage response.
  • ATM signaling pathways influence numerous cellular processes, including DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse roles of ATM in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
  • To explore the dual functions of ATM in cancer development and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of ATM's involvement in cellular processes.
  • Analysis of ATM's canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways.
  • Examination of ATM's contradictory roles in tumor suppression and cancer promotion.

Main Results:

  • ATM initiates and coordinates the DNA-damage response, impacting DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest.
  • While often a tumor suppressor, elevated ATM signaling in advanced cancers enhances survival, chemoresistance, and metastasis.
  • ATM's multifaceted roles are critical for both normal cellular function and malignant transformation.

Conclusions:

  • ATM plays a complex and context-dependent role in cellular homeostasis and cancer.
  • Understanding ATM's dual function is essential for developing effective cancer therapies.
  • Further research into ATM signaling pathways could reveal new therapeutic targets.
Keywords:
ATMDNA damage repairDNA damage responseautophagycancercellular homeostasishypoxiamitophagyoxidative sensingpexophagy

More Related Videos

Detection and Visualization of DNA Damage-induced Protein Complexes in Suspension Cell Cultures Using the Proximity Ligation Assay13:10

Detection and Visualization of DNA Damage-induced Protein Complexes in Suspension Cell Cultures Using the Proximity Ligation Assay

Published on: June 9, 2017

10.2K
Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy08:31

Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Published on: June 8, 2018

9.3K

Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:37

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
9.6K
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:37

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

2.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.0K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
7.2K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

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...
6.8K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.8K