The Role of Tumor Suppressor DLC-1: Far From Clear.
BACKGROUND
Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC-1) In human was originally isolated from rats brain and was often found to be deleted in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
We undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature using a focused review question and inclusion/exclusion criteria.


RESULTS
Subsequent studies have demonstrated that DLC-1 is generally expressed in normal human tissues as well as in rats, while it always exists inactivated or even lost in many human cancers, which characterizes DLC-1 as a potential tumor suppressor. Additionally, the RhoGAP (Rho-GTPase activating proteins) activity was found to play a pivotal role in regulating DLC-1.


CONCLUSIONS
Although emerging studies in a variety of cancers have identified DLC-1 and its downstream signaling molecules as potential therapeutic targets for treatments of DLC-1-related cancers, the mechanisms linked to DLC-1 remain undefined.
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002China.
Xu
X
Liu
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002China.
Yao-Jie
YJ
Pan
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China, 84 West Huai-hai Road, Xuzhou, JiangsuChina.
Jun-Nian
JN
Zheng
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China, 84 West Huai-hai Road, Xuzhou, JiangsuChina.
Dong-Sheng
DS
Pei
D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C112352:DLC1 protein, human; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
DLC-1; GTPase; RhoGAP activity; biomarker; therapeutic target; tumor suppressor