title: Steroid receptor coactivator-3 as a potential molecular target for cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3), also called amplified-in-breast cancer-1 (AIB1), is an oncogenic coactivator in endocrine and non-endocrine cancers. Functional studies demonstrate SRC-3 promotes numerous aspects of cancer, through its capacity as a coactivator for nuclear hormone receptors and other transcription factors, and via its ability to control multiple growth pathways simultaneously. Targeting SRC-3 with specific inhibitors therefore holds future promise for clinical cancer therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We discuss critical advances in understanding SRC-3 as a cancer mediator and prospective drug target. We review SRC-3 structure and function and its role in distinct aspects of cancer. In addition, we discuss SRC-3 regulation and degradation. Finally, we comment on a recently discovered SRC-3 small molecular inhibitor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most targeted chemotherapeutic drugs block only a single cellular pathway. In response, cancers frequently acquire resistance by upregulating alternative pathways. SRC-3 coordinates multiple signaling networks, suggesting SRC-3 inhibition offers a promising therapeutic strategy. Development of an effective SRC-3 inhibitor faces critical challenges. Better understanding of SRC-3 function and interacting partners, in both the nucleus and cytosol, is required for optimized inhibitor development. Ultimately, blockade of SRC-3 oncogenic function may inhibit multiple cancer-related signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jean Ching-Yi
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tien
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D056921:Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 3 / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D056921:Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 3