title: Osteopontin: role in cell signaling and cancer progression.
abstract: Cell migration and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are crucial steps in tumor progression. Several matrix-degrading proteases, including matrix metalloproteases, are highly regulated by growth factors, cytokines and ECM proteins. Osteopontin (OPN), a chemokine-like, calcified ECM-associated protein, plays a crucial role in determining the metastatic potential of various cancers. Since its first identification in bone, the multifaceted roles of OPN have been an area of intense investigation. Extensive research has elucidated the pivotal role of OPN in regulating the cell signaling that controls tumor progression and metastasis. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the functional role of the OPN-induced signaling pathway in the regulation of cell migration and tumor progression and the implications for identifying novel targets for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Cell Science (NCCS), NCCS Complex, Pune 411 007, India.
authors.forename: Hema
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rangaswami
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bulbule
authors.forename: Gopal C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kundu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D053495:Osteopontin; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D053495:Osteopontin