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A High-Throughput Luciferase Assay to Evaluate Proteolysis of the Single-Turnover Protease PCSK9
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Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): A potential multifaceted player in cancer

Anindita Bhattacharya1, Abhirup Chowdhury1, Koel Chaudhury1

  • 1School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|June 18, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a novel target for hypercholesterolemia and cancer. Aberrant PCSK9 expression in cancer suggests its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for personalized medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) degradation, a key factor in hypercholesterolemia.
  • Emerging evidence highlights PCSK9's aberrant expression in various cancers, suggesting a role beyond lipid metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the involvement of PCSK9 in cancer.
  • To summarize PCSK9's aberrant expression, prognostic association, biological functions, and mechanisms in malignancies.
  • To highlight PCSK9's potential as a therapeutic target in personalized cancer medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental studies on PCSK9 in cancer.
  • Analysis of PCSK9's role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, anti-tumor immunity, and radioresistance.
  • Synthesis of findings on PCSK9's expression patterns and prognostic significance across different cancers.

Main Results:

  • PCSK9 is aberrantly expressed in a wide range of cancers and correlates with disease prognosis.
  • PCSK9 influences critical cancer processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, immune evasion, and radioresistance.
  • These findings establish PCSK9 as a potential cancer biomarker and therapeutic target.

Conclusions:

  • PCSK9 plays a significant role in cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting PCSK9 offers a promising strategy for personalized cancer therapy.
  • Further research into PCSK9 mechanisms in cancer is warranted.
Keywords:
Anti-tumor immunityApoptosisCancerMetastasisPCSK9Targeted therapy

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