title: Tetraspanins and tumor progression.
abstract: Transmembrane protein tetraspanins either promote or suppress tumor invasion and metastasis. Their effects on tumor progression depend on the multimolecular transmembrane complex called tetraspanin-enriched microdomain (TEM) and are attributed to the alterations in the (1) motogenic and mitogenic behaviors and/or (2) microenvironmental interactions of tumor cells. As the modifiers of cell membrane structure and function, tetraspanins have emerged as diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for tumor progression.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, H300 Coleman Building, 956 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
authors.forename: Mekel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Xin A
authors.initials: XA
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins