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Experimental Metastasis Assay
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RNA-binding proteins and cancer metastasis

Shengjie Wang1, Zelong Sun2, Zhe Lei2

  • 1Soochow University Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Department of Basic Medicine, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang 222000, China.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|March 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial regulators of gene expression and play significant roles in cancer development. This review highlights their pivotal functions in tumor metastasis and explores potential RBP-targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, impacting mRNA, miRNA, and circRNA processing.
  • Dysregulation of RBPs is linked to various human diseases, notably cancer, influencing phenotypes like proliferation and migration.
  • Tumor metastasis is a major cause of cancer mortality, necessitating elucidation of its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding the role of RBPs in tumor metastasis.
  • To discuss how RBP dysfunctions affect metastasis-associated processes like EMT, migration, and invasion.
  • To explore emerging RBP-based therapeutic strategies for combating cancer metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on RBPs and cancer metastasis.
  • Analysis of RBP involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and invasion.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on RBP-based treatment strategies.

Main Results:

  • RBPs significantly influence cancer cell phenotypes crucial for metastasis.
  • Specific RBPs are identified as key players in promoting or inhibiting metastasis-associated processes.
  • Dysregulation of RBPs contributes to tumor progression and poor clinical prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • RBPs are critical regulators of cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting RBPs offers promising therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into RBP functions is essential for developing effective anti-metastasis strategies.
Keywords:
Cancer metastasisEMTPost-transcriptional regulationRBP

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