title: The Nm23-H1-h-Prune complex in cellular physiology: a 'tip of the iceberg' protein network perspective.
abstract: Nm23-H1 (also known as NDPKA) and h-Prune form a protein complex that is part of a little-understood protein network. Modifications of this complex correlate with cancer status. Here, we focus on the role of the Nm23-H1-h-Prune complex in cellular physiology, through an analysis of the balance between the 'bound' and 'non-bound' states of Nm23-H1 and h-Prune, whereby we speculate on the 'read-out' during cell homeostasis under non-balanced conditions. We have analysed the biochemical activities of both Nm23-H1 and h-Prune alone and in combination, focussing on the anti-metastatic activity of Nm23-H1. We have then investigated the cellular mechanisms responsible for the formation of the Nm23-H1-h-Prune complex. To evaluate the importance of the equilibrium between the formation of the Nm23-H1-h-Prune complex and the 'free' levels of Nm23-H1 and h-Prune, we propose a model based on a pro-cancer condition where this equilibrium is negatively affected.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Ingegneria Genetica e Biotecnologia Avanzate (CEINGE), Via Comunale Margherita 482, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galasso
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zollo
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C438732:PRUNE1 protein, human; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases