title: Contrast Functions of αA- and αB-Crystallins in Cancer Development.
abstract: α-Crystallins, initially identified as the structural proteins of the ocular lens, belong to the small heat shock protein family. They play significant roles in maintaining the lens transparency and preventing protein aggregation. α-Crystallins exist in two isoforms: αA and αB, and they display differential tissue distribution. Their mutations are implicated in several human diseases including cardiac myopathies, neurodegenerative diseases, cataracts and various types of cancers. Increased αB expression was detected in retinoblastoma, breast cancer, glioblastoma, prostate and renal cell carcinomas, indicating its role in promoting tumor growth. A complex picture emerges for αA. Although earlier studies suggest that αA may promote cancer development, recent studies from our laboratory demonstrate that αA can act as a tumor suppressor inhibiting cell transformation and retarding cell migration through modulating MAP kinase activity. In this review, we summarize the recent progress about the functions of αA and αB in cancer development.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Z-X
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: J-W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Z-G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: W-J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Qiang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gigantelli
authors.forename: Q D
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5540,. United States.
authors.forename: D W-C
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002386:Cataract / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D066263:Protein Aggregation, Pathological / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D038202:alpha-Crystallin A Chain / Q000235:genetics*; D038203:alpha-Crystallin B Chain / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D020033:Protein Isoforms; D038202:alpha-Crystallin A Chain; D038203:alpha-Crystallin B Chain
keywords: cancer; crystallin; therapy; αA; αB