Cripto-1: an embryonic gene that promotes tumorigenesis.
Several studies have shown that cell fate regulation during embryonic development and oncogenic transformation share common regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways. Indeed, an embryonic gene member of the EGF-Cripto-1/FRL1/Cryptic family, Cripto-1, has been implicated in embryogenesis and in carcinogenesis. Cripto-1 together with the TGF-beta ligand Nodal is a key regulator of embryonic development and is a marker of undifferentiated human and mouse embryonic stem cells. While Cripto-1 expression is very low in normal adult tissues, Cripto-1 is re-expressed at high levels in several different human tumors, modulating cancer cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stimulating tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, inhibition of Cripto-1 expression using blocking antibodies or antisense expression vectors might be a useful modality not only to target fully differentiated cancer cells but also to target a subpopulation of tumor cells with stem-like characteristics.
de Castro
Nadia Pereira
NP
Mammary Biology & Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 37 Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Rangel
Maria Cristina
MC
Nagaoka
Tadahiro
T
Salomon
David S
DS
Bianco
Caterina
C
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000254:growth & development; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C491268:CFC1 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C489450:Tdgf1 protein, mouse; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor