The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis
Abstract Metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins that play important roles in metal homeostasis and protection against heavy metal toxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. In humans, MTs have four main isoforms (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) that are encoded by genes located on chromoso...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hematology & Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13045-018-0645-x |
| _version_ | 1818197351794212864 |
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| author | Manfei Si Jinghe Lang |
| author_facet | Manfei Si Jinghe Lang |
| author_sort | Manfei Si |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins that play important roles in metal homeostasis and protection against heavy metal toxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. In humans, MTs have four main isoforms (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) that are encoded by genes located on chromosome 16q13. MT1 comprises eight known functional (sub)isoforms (MT1A, MT1B, MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1M, and MT1X). Emerging evidence shows that MTs play a pivotal role in tumor formation, progression, and drug resistance. However, the expression of MTs is not universal in all human tumors and may depend on the type and differentiation status of tumors, as well as other environmental stimuli or gene mutations. More importantly, the differential expression of particular MT isoforms can be utilized for tumor diagnosis and therapy. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of MTs in carcinogenesis and describes the differential expression and regulation of MT isoforms in various malignant tumors. The roles of MTs in tumor growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, microenvironment remodeling, immune escape, and drug resistance are also discussed. Finally, this review highlights the potential of MTs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and introduces some current applications of targeting MT isoforms in cancer therapy. The knowledge on the MTs may provide new insights for treating cancer and bring hope for the elimination of cancer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:48:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d71099307a7248c1b7608e3642dcc120 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-8722 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:48:36Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hematology & Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d71099307a7248c1b7608e3642dcc1202022-12-22T00:42:33ZengBMCJournal of Hematology & Oncology1756-87222018-08-0111112010.1186/s13045-018-0645-xThe roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesisManfei Si0Jinghe Lang1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesAbstract Metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins that play important roles in metal homeostasis and protection against heavy metal toxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. In humans, MTs have four main isoforms (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) that are encoded by genes located on chromosome 16q13. MT1 comprises eight known functional (sub)isoforms (MT1A, MT1B, MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1M, and MT1X). Emerging evidence shows that MTs play a pivotal role in tumor formation, progression, and drug resistance. However, the expression of MTs is not universal in all human tumors and may depend on the type and differentiation status of tumors, as well as other environmental stimuli or gene mutations. More importantly, the differential expression of particular MT isoforms can be utilized for tumor diagnosis and therapy. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of MTs in carcinogenesis and describes the differential expression and regulation of MT isoforms in various malignant tumors. The roles of MTs in tumor growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, microenvironment remodeling, immune escape, and drug resistance are also discussed. Finally, this review highlights the potential of MTs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and introduces some current applications of targeting MT isoforms in cancer therapy. The knowledge on the MTs may provide new insights for treating cancer and bring hope for the elimination of cancer.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13045-018-0645-xMetallothioneinMetal homeostasisCancerCarcinogenesisBiomarker |
| spellingShingle | Manfei Si Jinghe Lang The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis Journal of Hematology & Oncology Metallothionein Metal homeostasis Cancer Carcinogenesis Biomarker |
| title | The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| title_full | The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| title_fullStr | The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| title_short | The roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| title_sort | roles of metallothioneins in carcinogenesis |
| topic | Metallothionein Metal homeostasis Cancer Carcinogenesis Biomarker |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13045-018-0645-x |
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