title: Expression of polarity genes in human cancer.
abstract: Polarity protein complexes are crucial for epithelial apical-basal polarity and directed cell migration. Since alterations of these processes are common in cancer, polarity proteins have been proposed to function as tumor suppressors or oncogenic promoters. Here, we review the current understanding of polarity protein functions in epithelial homeostasis, as well as tumor formation and progression. As most previous studies focused on the function of single polarity proteins in simplified model systems, we used a genomics approach to systematically examine and identify the expression profiles of polarity genes in human cancer. The expression profiles of polarity genes were distinct in different human tissues and classified cancer types. Additionally, polarity expression profiles correlated with disease progression and aggressiveness, as well as with identified cancer types, where specific polarity genes were commonly altered. In the case of Scribble, gene expression analysis indicated its common amplification and upregulation in human cancer, suggesting a tumor promoting function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Wan-Hsin
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Yan W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Asmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Panos Z
authors.initials: PZ
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
keywords: breast cancer; cancer genomics; glioblastoma multiforme; polarity proteins