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A paradoxical role for sestrin 2 protein in tumor suppression and tumorigenesis
Junsheng Qu1, Moyi Luo2,3, Jingwen Zhang1,3
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, 2428 Yuhe Road, Weifang, 261031, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
Sestrin 2, a highly conserved stress-induced protein, participates in the pathological processes of metabolic and age-related diseases. This p53-inducible protein also regulates cell growth and metabolism, which is closely related to malignant tumorigenesis. Sestrin 2 was reported to regulate various cellular processes, such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, apoptosis, anoikis resistance, and drug resistance. Although sestrin 2 is associated with colorectal, lung, liver, and other cancers, sestrin 2 expression varies among different types of cancer, and the effects and mechanisms of action of this protein are also different. Sestrin 2 was considered a tumor suppressor gene in most studies, whereas conflicting reports considered sestrin 2 an oncogene. Thus, this review aims to examine the literature regarding sestrin 2 in various cancers, summarize its roles in suppression and tumorigenesis, discuss potential mechanisms in the regulation of cancer, and provide a basis for follow-up research and potential cancer treatment development.
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