Cyrus Vaziri , Karly Forker , Xingyuan Zhang , Di Wu , Pei Zhou , Jessica L. Bowser
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The Cancer Testis Antigens (CTAs) are a group of germ cell proteins that are absent from normal somatic cells yet aberrantly expressed in many cancer cells. When mis-expressed in cancer cells, many CTAs promote tumorigenic characteristics including genome instability, DNA damage tolerance and therapy resistance. Here we highlight some of the CTAs for which their roles in genome maintenance in cancer cells are well established. We consider three broad CTA categories: (1) Melanoma Antigens (MAGEs) (2) Mitotic CTAs and (3) CTAs with roles in meiotic homologous recombination. Many cancer cells rely on CTAs to tolerate intrinsic and therapy-induced genotoxic stress. Therefore, CTAs represent molecular vulnerabilities of cancer cells and may provide opportunities for therapy. Owing to their high-level expression in tumors and absence from normal somatic cells, CTA-directed therapies could have a high level of specificity and would likely be devoid of side-effect toxicity.
期刊介绍:
DNA Repair provides a forum for the comprehensive coverage of DNA repair and cellular responses to DNA damage. The journal publishes original observations on genetic, cellular, biochemical, structural and molecular aspects of DNA repair, mutagenesis, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and other biological responses in cells exposed to genomic insult, as well as their relationship to human disease.
DNA Repair publishes full-length research articles, brief reports on research, and reviews. The journal welcomes articles describing databases, methods and new technologies supporting research on DNA repair and responses to DNA damage. Letters to the Editor, hot topics and classics in DNA repair, historical reflections, book reviews and meeting reports also will be considered for publication.