Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAPRE2 gene. [3] [4] [5]
The protein encoded by this gene shares significant homology to the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein-binding EB1 gene family. The function of this protein is unknown; however, its homology suggests involvement in tumorigenesis of colorectal cancers and proliferative control of normal cells. This gene may belong to the intermediate/early gene family, involved in the signal transduction cascade downstream of the TCR. [5]
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited condition in which numerous adenomatous polyps form mainly in the epithelium of the large intestine. While these polyps start out benign, malignant transformation into colon cancer occurs when they are left untreated. Three variants are known to exist, FAP and attenuated FAP are caused by APC gene defects on chromosome 5 while autosomal recessive FAP is caused by defects in the MUTYH gene on chromosome 1. Of the three, FAP itself is the most severe and most common; although for all three, the resulting colonic polyps and cancers are initially confined to the colon wall. Detection and removal before metastasis outside the colon can greatly reduce and in many cases eliminate the spread of cancer.
Bert Vogelstein is director of the Ludwig Center, Clayton Professor of Oncology and Pathology and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at The Johns Hopkins Medical School and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. A pioneer in the field of cancer genomics, his studies on colorectal cancers revealed that they result from the sequential accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These studies now form the paradigm for modern cancer research and provided the basis for the notion of the somatic evolution of cancer.
Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) also known as deleted in polyposis 2.5 (DP2.5) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the APC gene. The APC protein is a negative regulator that controls beta-catenin concentrations and interacts with E-cadherin, which are involved in cell adhesion. Mutations in the APC gene may result in colorectal cancer and desmoid tumors.
Aurora kinase B is a protein that functions in the attachment of the mitotic spindle to the centromere.
Beta-catenin-interacting protein 1 is a protein that is encoded in humans by the CTNNBIP1 gene.
Axin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AXIN1 gene.
The cell division cycle protein 20 homolog is an essential regulator of cell division that is encoded by the CDC20 gene in humans. To the best of current knowledge its most important function is to activate the anaphase promoting complex (APC/C), a large 11-13 subunit complex that initiates chromatid separation and entrance into anaphase. The APC/CCdc20 protein complex has two main downstream targets. Firstly, it targets securin for destruction, enabling the eventual destruction of cohesin and thus sister chromatid separation. It also targets S and M-phase (S/M) cyclins for destruction, which inactivates S/M cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and allows the cell to exit from mitosis. A closely related protein, Cdc20homologue-1 (Cdh1) plays a complementary role in the cell cycle.
Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1 beta is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the BUB1B gene. Also known as BubR1, this protein is recognized for its mitotic roles in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and kinetochore-microtubule interactions that facilitate chromosome migration and alignment. BubR1 promotes mitotic fidelity and protects against aneuploidy by ensuring proper chromosome segregation between daughter cells. BubR1 is proposed to prevent tumorigenesis.
Apoptosis-stimulating of p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) also known as Bcl2-binding protein (Bbp) and tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 2 (p53BP2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TP53BP2 gene. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAPRE1 gene.
Microtubule-actin cross-linking factor 1, isoforms 1/2/3/5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MACF1 gene.
Mitotic checkpoint protein BUB3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BUB3 gene.
Colorectal mutant cancer protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MCC gene.
Kinesin-associated protein 3 (KAP3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIFAP3 gene. It is a non-motor, accessory subunit which co-oligomerizes with the motor subunits KIF3A and KIF3B or KIF3C, to form heterotrimeric kinesin-2 motor proteins. Kinesin-2 KAP subunits were initially characterized in echinoderms and mice.
Cytoskeleton-associated protein 5 is a microtubule-associated protein that in humans is encoded by the CKAP5 gene. It is the homolog of the Xenopus protein XMAP215 and is also known as ch-Tog.
Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAPRE3 gene.
αE-catenin, also known as Catenin alpha-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CTNNA1 gene. αE-catenin is highly expressed in cardiac muscle and localizes to adherens junctions at intercalated disc structures where it functions to mediate the anchorage of actin filaments to the sarcolemma. αE-catenin also plays a role in tumor metastasis and skin cell function.
Naked cuticle 1 (NKD1) is a human gene that encodes the protein Nkd1, a member of the Naked cuticle (Nkd) family of proteins that regulate the Wnt signaling pathway. Insects typically have a single Nkd gene, whereas there are two Nkd genes, Nkd1 and Nkd2, in most vertebrates studied to date. Nkd1 binds to the Dishevelled (Dvl) family of proteins. Specific truncating NKD1 mutations identified in DNA mismatch repair deficient colon cancer that disrupt Nkd1/Dvl binding implicate these mutations as a cause of increased Wnt signaling in a subset of human colon cancers, the majority of which have increased Wnt signaling due to mutations the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), AXIN2, or rarely the beta-catenin genes.
Microtubule plus-end/positive-end tracking proteins or +TIPs are a type of microtubule associated protein (MAP) which accumulate at the plus ends of microtubules. +TIPs are arranged in diverse groups which are classified based on their structural components; however, all classifications are distinguished by their specific accumulation at the plus end of microtubules and their ability to maintain interactions between themselves and other +TIPs regardless of type. +TIPs can be either membrane bound or cytoplasmic, depending on the type of +TIPs. Most +TIPs track the ends of extending microtubules in a non-autonomous manner.
Inke Näthke is a German-British cell biologist. She is Professor of Epithelial Biology at the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Interim Dean and Associate Dean for Professional Culture at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee in Scotland. She is known for her work on the role of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein in colorectal cancer.