Targeting the super elongation complex for oncogenic transcription driven tumor malignancies: Progress in structure,...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Oncogenic transcription is crucial for tumor development and resistance to cancer therapies.
• The super elongation complex (SEC) is a key regulator of gene transcription and expression in metazoans.
• SEC's normal functions include promoting RNA polymerase II (POL II) synthesis and RNA elongation.

Approach:

• This review summarizes current understanding of SEC's mechanisms in normal transcription.
• It details SEC's critical roles in the development and progression of various cancers.
• The review highlights the identification and therapeutic potential of SEC complex-targeting inhibitors.

Key Points:

• Dysregulation of SEC, along with other transcription factors, accelerates oncogene transcription in cancer.
• This aberrant transcription fuels rapid tumor growth and contributes to therapeutic resistance.
• SEC's involvement spans normal physiological gene expression to pathological oncogenic processes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding SEC's dual role in normal and cancerous states is vital for cancer biology.
• Targeting SEC offers a promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemoresistance and treating cancer.
• Further research into SEC inhibitors could lead to novel cancer treatment modalities.