Qiu Wanglong, Kuo Chia-Yu, Tian Yu, Su Gloria H
The Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Biomedicines. 2021 Jul 14;9(7):821. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9070821.
Activin, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is involved in many physiological processes, such as embryonic development and follicle development, as well as in multiple human diseases including cancer. Genetic mutations in the activin signaling pathway have been reported in many cancer types, indicating that activin signaling plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Recent evidence reveals that activin signaling may function as a tumor-suppressor in tumor initiation, and a promoter in the later progression and metastasis of tumors. This article reviews many aspects of activin, including the signaling cascade of activin, activin-related proteins, and its role in tumorigenesis, particularly in pancreatic cancer development. The mechanisms regulating its dual roles in tumorigenesis remain to be elucidated. Further understanding of the activin signaling pathway may identify potential therapeutic targets for human cancers and other diseases.
激活素是转化生长因子-β超家族的成员之一，参与许多生理过程，如胚胎发育和卵泡发育，以及包括癌症在内的多种人类疾病。在许多癌症类型中都报道了激活素信号通路中的基因突变，这表明激活素信号在肿瘤发生中起关键作用。最近的证据表明，激活素信号在肿瘤起始阶段可能作为肿瘤抑制因子发挥作用，而在肿瘤后期进展和转移中则作为促进因子。本文综述了激活素的多个方面，包括激活素的信号级联、激活素相关蛋白及其在肿瘤发生中的作用，特别是在胰腺癌发展中的作用。调节其在肿瘤发生中双重作用的机制仍有待阐明。对激活素信号通路的进一步了解可能会为人类癌症和其他疾病确定潜在的治疗靶点。
