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BIRC5: A novel therapeutic target for lung cancer stem cells and glioma stem cells

Yeon-Jee Kahm1, Rae-Kwon Kim1

  • 1Department of Environmental Safety Technology Research, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea; Department of Radiation Life Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) regulates cancer stem cells and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Suppressing BIRC5 eliminated cancer stem cell characteristics, suggesting BIRC5 as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), also known as survivin, is an apoptosis inhibitor that promotes cell survival.
  • BIRC5 is highly expressed in stem cells but absent in differentiated cells, suggesting a role in cancer stem cells (CSCs).
  • The molecular mechanisms of BIRC5 in regulating CSCs and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of BIRC5 in regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • To explore the potential of BIRC5 as a therapeutic target for lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and glioma stem cells (GSCs).

Main Methods:

  • Investigated BIRC5 expression in LCSCs and GSCs.
  • Assessed the effect of BIRC5 suppression on CSC characteristics.
  • Analyzed the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in BIRC5-mediated regulation of CSCs and EMT.

Main Results:

  • BIRC5 was found to be overexpressed in both LCSCs and GSCs.
  • Suppression of BIRC5 expression led to the loss of CSC characteristics.
  • Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), regulated by BIRC5, plays a role in CSC and EMT signaling via an autocrine loop.

Conclusions:

  • BIRC5 is a key regulator of CSCs and EMT.
  • BIRC5 is implicated in the maintenance of LCSCs and GSCs.
  • BIRC5 represents a promising therapeutic target for targeting LCSCs and GSCs.
Keywords:
Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat containing 5Cancer stem cellsEpithelial to mesenchymal transitionPlasminogen activator inhibitor-1Survivin

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