title: The forkhead factor FOXL2: a novel tumor suppressor?
abstract: FOXL2 is a gene encoding a forkhead transcription factor, whose germline mutations are responsible for the blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome. We have previously shown that expression levels of FOXL2 in a series of juvenile ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCTs) were markedly reduced. More recently, a whole-transcriptome 'next-generation' sequencing study has identified the somatic mutation p.Cys134Trp as recurring in adult OGCTs. This mutation may thus provide the tumor with either a striking proliferative potential or increased survival abilities. These studies of FOXL2 in OGCTs suggest that it may act as a tumor suppressor gene. This is in line with the fact that other forkhead transcription factors have already been involved in the etiology of cancer. Indeed, an in-depth review of existing data on FOXL2 reveals that its target genes and molecular partners can often be linked to cancer progression.
authors.affiliation: Institut Jacques Monod, UMR 7592-CNRS, 15 rue Hélène Brion, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Bérénice A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Benayoun
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalfa
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: Reiner A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Veitia
mesh_terms: D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C421604:FOXL2 protein, human; D000074842:Forkhead Box Protein L2; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins