The Emerging Roles of π Subunit-Containing GABAA Receptors in Different Cancers
Iman Imtiyaz Ahmed Juvale1, Zurina Hassan2, Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has1
1Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both developed and developing countries. Due to its heterogenous nature, it occurs in various regions of the body and often goes undetected until later stages of disease progression. Feasible treatment options are limited because of the invasive nature of cancer and often result in detrimental side-effects and poor survival rates. Therefore, recent studies have attempted to identify aberrant expression levels of previously undiscovered proteins in cancer, with the hope of developing better diagnostic tools and pharmaceutical options. One class of such targets is the π-subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Although these receptors were discovered more than 20 years ago, there is limited information available. They possess atypical functional properties and are expressed in several non-neuronal tissues. Prior studies have highlighted the role of these receptors in the female reproductive system. New research focusing on the higher expression levels of these receptors in ovarian, breast, gastric, cervical, and pancreatic cancers, their physiological function in healthy individuals, and their pro-tumorigenic effects in these cancer types is reviewed here.
Insights
New research reviews the role of π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors in various cancers. These receptors show higher expression in ovarian, breast, gastric, cervical, and pancreatic cancers, suggesting potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, characterized by heterogeneity and late-stage detection, limiting effective treatments.
- There is a critical need for novel diagnostic tools and pharmaceutical targets to improve cancer patient outcomes.
- π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors are a class of targets with atypical properties and limited research, despite their discovery over 20 years ago.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the elevated expression of π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors in specific cancer types.
- To explore the physiological functions of these receptors in healthy individuals.
- To examine the pro-tumorigenic effects of these receptors in ovarian, breast, gastric, cervical, and pancreatic cancers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors.
- Analysis of research highlighting receptor expression levels in various cancer tissues.
- Synthesis of data on the physiological roles and oncogenic functions of these receptors.
Main Results:
- π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors exhibit higher expression in ovarian, breast, gastric, cervical, and pancreatic cancers.
- These receptors are expressed in several non-neuronal tissues, including the female reproductive system.
- Evidence suggests a pro-tumorigenic role for these receptors in the studied cancer types.
Conclusions:
- π-subunit-containing gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors represent promising candidates for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their function and therapeutic potential in oncology.
- Targeting these receptors could offer new avenues for combating various forms of cancer.
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