The RNA-binding protein musashi1: A major player in intestinal epithelium renewal and colon cancer development

Michelina Plateroti, Patricia Rosa De Araujo, Acarizia Eduardo Da Silva, Luiz O.F. Penalva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aberrant gene expression is the cause and the consequence of tumorigenesis. A major component of gene expression is translation regulation; a process whose main players are RNA-binding-proteins (RBPs). More than 800 RBPs have been identified in the human genome and several of them have been shown to control gene networks associated with relevant cancer processes. A more systematic characterization of RBPs starts to reveal that similar to transcription factors, they can function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. A relevant example is Musashi1 (Msi1), which is emerging as a critical regulator of tumorigenesis in multiple cancer types, including colon cancer. Msi1 is a stem marker in several tissues and is critical in maintaining the balance between self-renewal and differentiation. However, a boost in Msi1 expression can most likely lead cells towards an oncogenic pathway. In this article, we discuss the parallels between Msi1 function in normal renewal of intestinal epithelium and in colon cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)290-297
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Colorectal Cancer Reports
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • Colon cancer
  • Musashi1
  • RNA-binding proteins
  • Translation regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Hepatology

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