1
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Qiu M, Lin Q, Liu Y, Chen P, Zhou Y, Jiang Y, Zhou Z, Wen Q, Zhou X, Liang X, Gan H, Yu H. Potentially functional genetic variants in RPS6KA4 and MAP2K5 in the MAPK signaling pathway predict HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma survival. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1378-1387. [PMID: 37278562 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the third leading cause of cancer deaths with a dismal 5-year survival rate. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is abnormally activated in HCC to promote growth and aggressive metastatic potential of cancer cells. Therefore, genetic variants in the MAPK signaling pathway may serve as potential predictors of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC survival. In the present study, we performed a two-stage survival analysis to evaluate the associations between 10,912 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 79 MAPK signaling pathway genes and the overall survival (OS) of 866 HBV-related HCC patients, followed by functional annotation. In combined datasets, we identified two novel and potential functional SNPs (RPS6KA4 rs600377 T>G and MAP2K5 rs17300363 A>C) as prognostic factors for HBV-related HCC, with adjusted allelic hazards ratios of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.46, p = 0.010) and 1.48 (1.15-1.91, p = 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, their combined risk genotypes also predicted a poor survival in a dose-response manner in the combined data set (Ptrend < 0.001). Additional functional analysis showed that RPS6KA4 rs600377 G and MAP2K5 rs17300363 C alleles were associated with elevated mRNA expression levels of the corresponding genes in normal tissues. These results provide new insights into the role of genetic variants in the MAPK signaling pathway genes in HBV-related HCC survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moqin Qiu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuling Lin
- Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yingchun Liu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Peiqin Chen
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yanji Jiang
- Department of Research Service, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Department of Tumor Prevention and Control, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuping Wen
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xianguo Zhou
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiumei Liang
- Department of Disease Process Management, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Haijie Gan
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hongping Yu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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2
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Le NT. The significance of ERK5 catalytic-independent functions in disease pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1235217. [PMID: 37601096 PMCID: PMC10436230 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1235217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as BMK1 or MAPK7, represents a recent addition to the classical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. This family includes well-known members such as ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), as well as atypical MAPKs such as ERK3, ERK4, ERK7 (ERK8), and Nemo-like kinase (NLK). Comprehensive reviews available elsewhere provide detailed insights into ERK5, which interested readers can refer to for in-depth knowledge (Nithianandarajah-Jones et al., 2012; Monti et al., Cancers (Basel), 2022, 14). The primary aim of this review is to emphasize the essential characteristics of ERK5 and shed light on the intricate nature of its activation, with particular attention to the catalytic-independent functions in disease pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhat-Tu Le
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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3
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Sánchez-Fdez A, Matilla-Almazán S, Del Carmen S, Abad M, Arconada-Luque E, Jiménez-Suárez J, Chinchilla-Tábora LM, Ruíz-Hidalgo MJ, Sánchez-Prieto R, Pandiella A, Esparís-Ogando A. Etiopathogenic role of ERK5 signaling in sarcoma: prognostic and therapeutic implications. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1247-1257. [PMID: 37332046 PMCID: PMC10317974 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas constitute a heterogeneous group of rare and difficult-to-treat tumors that can affect people of all ages, representing one of the most common forms of cancer in childhood and adolescence. Little is known about the molecular entities involved in sarcomagenesis. Therefore, the identification of processes that lead to the development of the disease may uncover novel therapeutic opportunities. Here, we show that the MEK5/ERK5 signaling pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of sarcomas. By developing a mouse model engineered to express a constitutively active form of MEK5, we demonstrate that the exclusive activation of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway can promote sarcomagenesis. Histopathological analyses identified these tumors as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. Bioinformatic studies revealed that sarcomas are the tumors in which ERK5 is most frequently amplified and overexpressed. Moreover, analysis of the impact of ERK5 protein expression on overall survival in patients diagnosed with different sarcoma types in our local hospital showed a 5-fold decrease in median survival in patients with elevated ERK5 expression compared with those with low expression. Pharmacological and genetic studies revealed that targeting the MEK5/ERK5 pathway drastically affects the proliferation of human sarcoma cells and tumor growth. Interestingly, sarcoma cells with knockout of ERK5 or MEK5 were unable to form tumors when engrafted into mice. Taken together, our results reveal a role of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in sarcomagenesis and open a new scenario to be considered in the treatment of patients with sarcoma in which the ERK5 pathway is pathophysiologically involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Sánchez-Fdez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sofía Matilla-Almazán
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sofía Del Carmen
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departmento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mar Abad
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departmento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Arconada-Luque
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Jaime Jiménez-Suárez
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Chinchilla-Tábora
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departmento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mª José Ruíz-Hidalgo
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular. Facultad de Medicina, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ricardo Sánchez-Prieto
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Albacete, Spain
- Departamento de Biología del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols', Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBM-CSIC)-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain
| | - Atanasio Pandiella
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Azucena Esparís-Ogando
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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4
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Park HB, Baek KH. E3 ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes regulating the MAPK signaling pathway in cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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5
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Clinical Significance and Regulation of ERK5 Expression and Function in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020348. [PMID: 35053510 PMCID: PMC8773716 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is a unique kinase among MAPKs family members, given its large structure characterized by the presence of a unique C-terminal domain. Despite increasing data demonstrating the relevance of the ERK5 pathway in the growth, survival, and differentiation of normal cells, ERK5 has recently attracted the attention of several research groups given its relevance in inflammatory disorders and cancer. Accumulating evidence reported its role in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we explore the gene expression profile of ERK5 among cancers correlated with its clinical impact, as well as the prognostic value of ERK5 and pERK5 expression levels in tumors. We also summarize the importance of ERK5 in the maintenance of a cancer stem-like phenotype and explore the major known contributions of ERK5 in the tumor-associated microenvironment. Moreover, although several questions are still open concerning ERK5 molecular regulation, different ERK5 isoforms derived from the alternative splicing process are also described, highlighting the potential clinical relevance of targeting ERK5 pathways.
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6
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ERK5 modulates IL-6 secretion and contributes to tumor-induced immune suppression. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:969. [PMID: 34671021 PMCID: PMC8528934 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumors exhibit a variety of strategies to dampen antitumor immune responses. With an aim to identify factors that are secreted from tumor cells, we performed an unbiased mass spectrometry-based secretome analysis in lung cancer cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as a prominent factor secreted by tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts isolated from cancer patients. Incubation of dendritic cell (DC) cultures with tumor cell supernatants inhibited the production of IL-12p70 in DCs but not the surface expression of other activation markers which is reversed by treatment with IL-6 antibody. Defects in IL-12p70 production in the DCs inhibited the differentiation of Th1 but not Th2 and Th17 cells from naïve CD4+ T cells. We also demonstrate that the classical mitogen-activated protein kinase, ERK5/MAPK7, is required for IL-6 production in tumor cells. Inhibition of ERK5 activity or depletion of ERK5 prevented IL-6 production in tumor cells, which could be exploited for enhancing antitumor immune responses.
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7
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Sánchez-Fdez A, Re-Louhau MF, Rodríguez-Núñez P, Ludeña D, Matilla-Almazán S, Pandiella A, Esparís-Ogando A. Clinical, genetic and pharmacological data support targeting the MEK5/ERK5 module in lung cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2021; 5:78. [PMID: 34404896 PMCID: PMC8371118 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-021-00218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in its treatment, lung cancer still represents the most common and lethal tumor. Because of that, efforts to decipher the pathophysiological actors that may promote lung tumor generation/progression are being made, with the final aim of establishing new therapeutic options. Using a transgenic mouse model, we formerly demonstrated that the sole activation of the MEK5/ERK5 MAPK route had a pathophysiological role in the onset of lung adenocarcinomas. Given the prevalence of that disease and its frequent dismal prognosis, our findings opened the possibility of targeting the MEK5/ERK5 route with therapeutic purposes. Here we have explored such possibility. We found that increased levels of MEK5/ERK5 correlated with poor patient prognosis in lung cancer. Moreover, using genetic as well as pharmacological tools, we show that targeting the MEK5/ERK5 route is therapeutically effective in lung cancer. Not only genetic disruption of ERK5 by CRISPR/Cas9 caused a relevant inhibition of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo; such ERK5 deficit augmented the antitumoral effect of agents normally used in the lung cancer clinic. The clinical correlation studies together with the pharmacological and genetic results establish the basis for considering the targeting of the MEK5/ERK5 route in the therapy for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Sánchez-Fdez
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Cancer Network Research (CIBERONC), Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Florencia Re-Louhau
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pablo Rodríguez-Núñez
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Dolores Ludeña
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Pathology Service, University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sofía Matilla-Almazán
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Cancer Network Research (CIBERONC), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Atanasio Pandiella
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Cancer Network Research (CIBERONC), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Azucena Esparís-Ogando
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer (IBMCC)-CSIC, Salamanca, Spain. .,Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain. .,Cancer Network Research (CIBERONC), Salamanca, Spain.
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8
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Zhang W, Hong J, Zheng W, Liu A, Yang Y. High glucose exacerbates neuroinflammation and apoptosis at the intermediate stage after post-traumatic brain injury. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:16088-16104. [PMID: 34176788 PMCID: PMC8266309 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a highly lethal event with a poor prognosis. Recovering residual neuronal function in the intermediate stage of TBI is important for treatment; however, neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis impede residual neuronal repair processes. Considering that hyperglycemia influences inflammatory processes and neuronal survival, we examined the effects of high glucose on neuroinflammation and neuronal death during the intermediate phase of TBI. Rat models of type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or TBI were developed and behaviorally assessed. Neurological function and cognitive abilities were impaired in TBI rats and worsened by type 2 diabetes mellitus. Histopathological staining and analyses of serum and hippocampal mRNA and protein levels indicated that neuroinflammation and apoptosis were induced in TBI rats and exacerbated by hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia inhibited hippocampal mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MEK5) phosphorylation in TBI rats. In vitro assays were used to assess inflammatory factor expression, apoptotic protein levels and neuronal survival after MEK5 activation in TBI- and/or high-glucose-treated neurons. MEK5/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) pathway activation reduced the inflammation, cleaved caspase-3 expression, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and apoptosis of TBI neurons, even under high-glucose conditions. Thus, high glucose exacerbated neuroinflammation and apoptosis in the intermediate stage post-TBI by inhibiting the MEK5/ERK5 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
- Hebei Institute of Head Trauma, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
| | - Jun Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
- Hebei Institute of Head Trauma, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
| | - Wencheng Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
| | - Aijun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
- Hebei Institute of Head Trauma, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China
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9
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Impact of ERK5 on the Hallmarks of Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061426. [PMID: 30901834 PMCID: PMC6471124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family that consists of highly conserved enzymes expressed in all eukaryotic cells and elicits several biological responses, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In recent years, accumulating lines of evidence point to a relevant role of ERK5 in the onset and progression of several types of cancer. In particular, it has been reported that ERK5 is a key signaling molecule involved in almost all the biological features of cancer cells so that its targeting is emerging as a promising strategy to suppress tumor growth and spreading. Based on that, in this review, we pinpoint the hallmark-specific role of ERK5 in cancer in order to identify biological features that will potentially benefit from ERK5 targeting.
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