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Filamin A: Insights into its Exact Role in Cancers

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Pathology & Oncology Research

Abstract

Filamin A (FlnA) is a well-known actin cross-linking protein. It serves as a scaffold for over 90 binding partners and involves in multiple cell functions, of which cell migration and adhesion is especially critical. Recently, its role in the cell has come under scrutiny for FlnA’s involvement in cancer development. Originally revealed as a cancer-promoting protein, FlnA actually plays a dual role in cancers. When localized to the cytoplasm, FlnA has a tumor-promoting effect by interacting with signaling molecules. While once localized to the nucleus, it may act to suppress tumor growth and inhibit metastasis by interacting with transcription factors. Thus drugs that can cause FlnA to transpose from cytoplasm to nucleus could be a promising treatment for cancers. Study to this end is on the way in prostate cancer and the results are encouraging. FlnA has been studied in large categories of cancers, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, etc. However, most studies did not evaluate the differences that arise from the localization of the protein, which was a great pity! What’s more, although FlnA’s is undoubtedly important in cancer invasion and metastasis, both preclinical and clinical researches are very rare in some highly metastatic cancers, such as pancreatic cancer. In this mini-review, we give a comprehensive summary of FlnA’ s expression in cancers. Where available, we also indicate the correlation of FlnA with cancer stages and patient prognosis, and clarify its localization (nucleus/cytoplasm) and its dual role (promote/suppress) in different cancers.

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Abbreviations

FlnA:

Filamin A

ABD:

Actin-binding domain

MK:

Megakaryocyte

PMSA:

Prostate-specific membrane antigen

hAR:

Human androgen receptor

ADT:

Androgen deprivation therapy

CRPC:

Castration-resistant prostate cancer

GCP:

Genistein-combined-polysaccharide

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

PrP:

Prion protein

EGFR:

Epidermal growth factor receptor

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program, 2014AA020609), China.

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The authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, 1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China

    Qian-Qian Shao, Tai-Ping Zhang, Wen-Jing Zhao, Zi-Wen Liu, Lei You, Li Zhou, Jun-Chao Guo & Yu-Pei Zhao

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  1. Qian-Qian Shao
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  2. Tai-Ping Zhang
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  6. Li Zhou
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Correspondence to Jun-Chao Guo or Yu-Pei Zhao.

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Qian-Qian Shao and Tai-Ping Zhang contributed equally to this work.

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Shao, QQ., Zhang, TP., Zhao, WJ. et al. Filamin A: Insights into its Exact Role in Cancers. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 22, 245–252 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-015-9980-1

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