1. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1): A multifunctional regulator of normal and abnormal physiology
- Author
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Yoo, Byoung Kwon, Emdad, Luni, Lee, Seok-Geun, Su, Zao-zhong, Santhekadur, Prasanna, Chen, Dong, Gredler, Rachel, Fisher, Paul B., and Sarkar, Devanand
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ASTROCYTES , *GENETIC regulation , *MOLECULAR cloning , *GENE expression , *HUNTINGTON disease , *TUMOR necrosis factors , *NEURODEGENERATION , *NEOVASCULARIZATION , *METASTASIS , *VASCULAR endothelial growth factors - Abstract
Abstract: Since its initial identification and cloning in 2002, Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1), also known as metadherin (MTDH), 3D3 and LYsine-RIch CEACAM1 co-isolated (LYRIC), has emerged as an important oncogene that is overexpressed in all cancers analyzed so far. Examination of a large cohort of patient samples representing diverse cancer indications has revealed progressive increase in AEG-1 expression with stages and grades of the disease and an inverse relationship between AEG-1 expression level and patient prognosis. AEG-1 functions as a bona fide oncogene by promoting transformation. In addition, it plays a significant role in invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis and chemoresistance, all important hallmarks of an aggressive cancer. AEG-1 is also implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes, such as development, inflammation, neurodegeneration, migraine and Huntington''s disease. AEG-1 is a highly basic protein with a transmembrane domain and multiple nuclear localization signals and it is present in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus and endoplasmic reticulum. In each location, AEG-1 interacts with specific proteins thereby modulating diverse intracellular processes the combination of which contributes to its pleiotrophic properties. The present review provides a snapshot of the current literature along with future perspectives on this unique molecule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2011
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