Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
06:24
Establishment of Coloproctitis Cancer Model in Mice and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Medicine
Published on: October 13, 2023
Microprotein MP104 Promotes Malignant Progression of Colorectal Cancer Through Regulating Protein Translation
Fang Chen1,2,3, Miao Wang1, Hongmei Yong4
1Cancer Institute, Cellular Therapeutics School of Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Researchers discovered MP104, a microprotein promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis. MP104 targets the UBE2O-AMPKα2-mTOR-EIF4B pathway, offering a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality.
- Identifying novel oncogenic drivers is crucial for effective CRC treatment.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel microproteins involved in colorectal cancer pathogenesis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which MP104 influences CRC progression.
- To evaluate MP104 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.
Main Methods:
- Discovery and characterization of the microprotein MP104 from ZEB1-AS1.
- In vitro and in vivo functional assays to assess MP104's role in CRC.
- Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting to investigate molecular interactions and signaling pathways.
- Analysis of patient data to correlate MP104 expression with CRC prognosis.
Main Results:
- MP104, a microprotein encoded by ZEB1-AS1, is upregulated in CRC and associated with poor prognosis.
- MP104 significantly promotes CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis.
- MP104 interacts with UBE2O, leading to AMPKα2 degradation and mTOR activation.
- MP104 enhances EIF4B phosphorylation and stability, while inhibiting its ubiquitination, sustaining translational upregulation.
Conclusions:
- MP104 is a novel oncogenic driver in colorectal cancer.
- MP104 promotes CRC progression by reprogramming protein translation via the UBE2O-AMPKα2-mTOR-EIF4B axis.
- MP104 represents a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Related Concept Videos
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
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...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
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...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...