Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups
Cell competition (CC) is a feature that allows tumor cells to outcompete and eliminate adjacent cells that are deemed less fit. Studies of CC, first described in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, reveal a diversity of underlying mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss three recent stud...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/518 |
| _version_ | 1797415636717010944 |
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| author | Adam James Ferrari Ronny Drapkin Rajan Gogna |
| author_facet | Adam James Ferrari Ronny Drapkin Rajan Gogna |
| author_sort | Adam James Ferrari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cell competition (CC) is a feature that allows tumor cells to outcompete and eliminate adjacent cells that are deemed less fit. Studies of CC, first described in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, reveal a diversity of underlying mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss three recent studies that expand our understanding of the molecular features governing CC. In particular, we will focus on a molecular fitness fingerprint, oncogenic pathways, and the importance of cell junction stability. A fitness fingerprint, mediated by flower (hFWE) protein isoforms, dictates that cells expressing the flower-win isoforms will outcompete adjacent flower-loss-expressing cells. The impact of the flower protein isoforms is seen in cancer progression and may have diagnostic potential. The yes-associated protein (YAP) and TAZ transcription factors, central mediators of the oncogenic Hippo pathway, elevate peritumoral fitness thereby protecting against tumor progression and provide a suppressive barrier. Similarly, COL17A1 is a key component in hemidesmosome stability, and its expression in epidermal stem cells contributes to fitness competition and aging characteristics. The contributions of these pathways to disease development and progression will help define how CC is hijacked to favor cancer growth. Understanding these features will also help frame the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities that may place CC in the crosshairs of cancer therapeutics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:51:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8409cf5bc9a47c1b19c7256de90a5f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:51:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8409cf5bc9a47c1b19c7256de90a5f62023-12-03T12:17:02ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-01-0122251810.3390/ijms22020518Cell Fitness: More Than Push-UpsAdam James Ferrari0Ronny Drapkin1Rajan Gogna2Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAPenn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, PortugalCell competition (CC) is a feature that allows tumor cells to outcompete and eliminate adjacent cells that are deemed less fit. Studies of CC, first described in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, reveal a diversity of underlying mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss three recent studies that expand our understanding of the molecular features governing CC. In particular, we will focus on a molecular fitness fingerprint, oncogenic pathways, and the importance of cell junction stability. A fitness fingerprint, mediated by flower (hFWE) protein isoforms, dictates that cells expressing the flower-win isoforms will outcompete adjacent flower-loss-expressing cells. The impact of the flower protein isoforms is seen in cancer progression and may have diagnostic potential. The yes-associated protein (YAP) and TAZ transcription factors, central mediators of the oncogenic Hippo pathway, elevate peritumoral fitness thereby protecting against tumor progression and provide a suppressive barrier. Similarly, COL17A1 is a key component in hemidesmosome stability, and its expression in epidermal stem cells contributes to fitness competition and aging characteristics. The contributions of these pathways to disease development and progression will help define how CC is hijacked to favor cancer growth. Understanding these features will also help frame the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities that may place CC in the crosshairs of cancer therapeutics.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/518cell competitionoutcompetecancercell fitnessepidermal stem cellsaging |
| spellingShingle | Adam James Ferrari Ronny Drapkin Rajan Gogna Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups International Journal of Molecular Sciences cell competition outcompete cancer cell fitness epidermal stem cells aging |
| title | Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups |
| title_full | Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups |
| title_fullStr | Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups |
| title_short | Cell Fitness: More Than Push-Ups |
| title_sort | cell fitness more than push ups |
| topic | cell competition outcompete cancer cell fitness epidermal stem cells aging |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/518 |
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