title: Expression of the epigenetic factor BORIS (CTCFL) in the human genome.
abstract: BORIS, or CTCFL, the so called Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites because of the extensive homology in the central DNA binding region of the protein to the related regulator, CTCF, is expressed in early gametogenesis and in multiple cancers but not in differentiated somatic cells. Thus it is a member of the cancer testes antigen group (CTAs). Since BORIS and CTCF target common DNA binding sites, these proteins function on two levels, the first level is their regulation via the methylation context of the DNA target site and the second level is their distinct and different epigenetic associations due to differences in the non-homologous termini of the proteins. The regulation on both of these levels is extensive and complex and the sphere of influence of each of these proteins is associated with vastly different cellular signaling processes. On the level of gene expression, BORIS has three known promoters and multiple spliced mRNAs which adds another level of complexity to this intriguing regulator. BORIS expression is observed in the majority of cancer tissues and cell lines analyzed up to today. The expression profile and essential role of BORIS in cancer make this molecule very attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes what is known about BORIS regarding its expression, structure, and function and then presents some theoretical considerations with respect to its genome wide influence and its potential for use as a vaccine for cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Necochea-Campion
authors.forename: Anahit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghochikyan
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Josephs
authors.forename: Shelly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zacharias
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Feridoun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Karimi-Busheri
authors.forename: Doru T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Alexandrescu
authors.forename: Chien-Shing
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Agadjanyan
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011485:Protein Binding; D012097:Repressor Proteins
chemical_list: D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; C000619697:CTCF protein, human; C456540:CTCFL protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins