Biological role of SCC antigen.
SCC antigen is a tumor-associated protein of squamous cell carcinoma of various organs. So far, two genes (SCC Ag-1 and SCC Ag-2) have been identified, and their products are highly homologous and classified as serine protease inhibitors (serpin). Recombinant SCC antigen-1 inhibits chymotrypsin and cathepsin L in vitro, indicating that it is inhibitory type serpin. Transduction of tumor cells with SCC antigen-1 reveals that SCC antigen-1 inhibits apoptosis of tumor cells induced by anticancer drug, TNFalpha or NK cells. Therefore SCC antigen-1 may work in cancer cells for tumor growth, and in normal squamous epithelium for differentiation by means of the inhibition of apoptosis. Recombinant SCC antigen-2 inhibits cathepsin G and mast cell chymase, suggesting that it protects epithelial cells from the inflammation induced by these proteases.
Suminami
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan. summinami-ygc@umin.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Nawata
S
S
Kato
H
H
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D015843:Serpins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen