title: The Role of Additional Sex Combs-Like Proteins in Cancer.
abstract: Additional sex combs-like (ASXL) proteins are mammalian homologs of Addition of sex combs (Asx), a protein that regulates the balance of trithorax and Polycomb function in Drosophila. All three ASXL family members (ASXL1, ASXL2, and ASXL3) are affected by somatic or de novo germline mutations in cancer or rare developmental syndromes, respectively. Although Asx is characterized as a catalytic partner for the deubiquitinase Calypso (or BAP1), there are domains of ASXL proteins that are distinct from Asx and the roles and redundancies of ASXL members are not yet well understood. Moreover, it is not yet fully clarified if commonly encountered ASXL1 mutations result in a loss of protein or stable expression of a truncated protein with dominant-negative or gain-of-function properties. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the biological and functional roles of ASXL members in development, cancer, and transcription.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Department, INSERM UMR1170, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, Villejuif, France Université Paris-Sud, Faculté de Médecine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Micol
authors.affiliation: Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abdel-Wahab
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C473949:ASXL1 protein, human; C484295:ASXL2 protein, human; C494423:ASXL3 protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors