title: [Advancement of studies on second mitochondrial activator of caspase].
abstract: Smac is a mitochondrial protein that interacts with inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Upon apoptotic stimuli, the Smac is released into the cytoplasm to inhibit the capase-binding activity of IAPs. The low expression of Smac in tissues has been reported existing in various cancers. Smac plays key roles in prognosis and chemoradiotherapy resistance of malignant tumor besides neoplasm genesis and growth. Furthermore, Smac may be a molecular therapeutic target in cancer patients. Overexpression of Smac by transfecting extrinsic Smac gene or Smac mimetic into tumor cell can improve their sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which has great significance to the treatment of tumor. Our review will focus on the roles of Smac in structure, pro-apoptotic mechanism, tissue distribution and cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Anren
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuang
mesh_terms: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins