Maspin: the new frontier.
Maspin (mammary serine protease inhibitor) was identified in 1994 by subtractive hybridization analysis of normal mammary tissue and breast cancer cell lines. Subsequently, emerging evidence portrays maspin as a multifaceted protein, interacting with diverse group of intercellular and extracellular proteins, regulating cell adhesion, motility, apoptosis, and angiogenesis and critically involved in mammary gland development. The tissue-specific expression of maspin is epigenetically controlled, and aberrant methylation of maspin promoter is closely associated with maspin gene silencing. Identification of new tissue sites expressing maspin and novel maspin-binding partners has expanded the horizon for maspin research and promises maspin-based therapeutic approaches for combating cancer. This perspective briefly outlines the past and present strides in deciphering this unique molecule and speculates on new frontiers in maspin research and prospects of maspin as a diagnostic/prognostic indicator in cancer.
Khalkhali-Ellis
Zhila
Z
Children's Memorial Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614-3394, USA. zellis@childrensmemorial.org
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology*; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011485:Protein Binding; D015843:Serpins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C085344:SERPIN-B5; D015843:Serpins; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D006655:Histone Deacetylases