title: MAP4K4: an emerging therapeutic target in cancer.
abstract: The serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 is a member of the Ste20p (sterile 20 protein) family. MAP4K4 was initially discovered in 1995 as a key kinase in the mating pathway inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand was later found to be involved in many aspects of cell functions and many biological and pathological processes. The role of MAP4K4 in immunity, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular disease has been recognized. Information regarding MAP4K4 in cancers is extremely limited, but increasing evidence suggests that MAP4K4 also plays an important role in cancer and MAP4K4 may represent a novel actionable cancer therapeutic target. This review summarizes our current understanding of MAP4K4 regulation and MAP4K4 in cancer. MAP4K4-specific inhibitors have been recently developed. We hope that this review article would advocate more basic and preclinical research on MAP4K4 in cancer, which could ultimately provide biological and mechanistic justifications for preclinical and clinical test of MAP4K4 inhibitor in cancer patients.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA.
authors: Xuan
authors: X
authors: Gao
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA.
authors: Chenxi
authors: C
authors: Gao
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Guoxiang
authors: G
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA ; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion, 2.42D, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Hu
keywords: Cancer; MAP4K4; Signaling pathways; Therapeutic target