Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins Orchestrate All Hallmarks of Cancer
Pathea Shawnae Bruno1, Aneeta Arshad1, Maria-Raluca Gogu2
1Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 25, 2025
Summary
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate cancer progression and therapy response by altering protein functions. Understanding PTMs offers new avenues for cancer biomarkers and drug development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial for protein function and cellular adaptation.
- Aberrant PTMs are implicated in cancer development, influencing cell behavior and the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- PTMs also play a role in anti-cancer mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze the diverse roles of protein PTMs in cancer hallmarks.
- To explore how PTMs modulate key cellular processes driving tumorigenesis and metastasis.
- To highlight the potential of PTMs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of PTMs in cancer.
- Analysis of PTM involvement in cancer hallmarks.
- Synthesis of PTM regulatory mechanisms in cancer.
Main Results:
- PTMs orchestrate cancer hallmarks including genetic instability, metastasis, ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, immune response, and metabolism.
- PTMs regulate gene transcription, signaling, protein stability, localization, and interactions.
- Aberrant PTMs contribute to cancer heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance.
Conclusions:
- PTMs are central to cancer development and progression.
- Targeting PTMs holds promise for novel cancer therapies and biomarkers.
- Further research into PTMs can unravel the complexities of cancer biology.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
6.8K
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
6.8K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.7K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.7K
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.0K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.0K
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
864
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
864
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.7K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.7K
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
8.7K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.7K