HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C dysregulation: a common occurrence in human tumors.
HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C are members of a distinct family of "high mobility group" (HMG) proteins that are nonhistone chromatin-associated proteins initially characterized by high electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels (hence the acronym HMG). Recent studies have shown that HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C are important elements with a role in the regulation of chromatin structure and function. Like other HMG proteins they are responsible for the correct three-dimensional configuration of protein-DNA complexes and therefore play a key role in important cellular processes such as DNA transcription. Aberrant HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C expression generally correlates with a malignant tumor phenotype. However, HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C dysregulation, as a result of specific chromosomal rearrangements, is also being identified in a variety of common benign mesenchymal tumors such as lipomas and uterine leiomyomas making HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C genes probably the most commonly rearranged genes in human neoplasms. While a precise definition of the HMGI(Y) and HMGI-C role in tumor initiation and progression is still missing, it is likely that future investigations will contribute valuable insights to the understanding of human neoplasia.
Tallini
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Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Dal Cin
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D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D025741:HMGA1a Protein; D025743:HMGA2 Protein; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008067:Lipoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D025743:HMGA2 Protein; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025741:HMGA1a Protein