School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.
Department of Medical Imaging, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.
Mol Med Rep. 2024 Nov;30(5). doi: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13324. Epub 2024 Sep 6.
The tetraspanin family of membrane proteins is essential for controlling different biological processes such as cell migration, penetration, adhesion, growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. The present review summarized the current knowledge regarding the expression and roles of tetraspanins in different types of cancer of the digestive system, including gastric, liver, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal and oral cancer. Depending on the type and context of cancer, tetraspanins can act as either tumor promoters or suppressors. In the present review, the importance of tetraspanins in serving as biomarkers and targets for different types of digestive system‑related cancer was emphasized. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of tetraspanins in cancer progression and metastasis were explored. Furthermore, the current challenges are addressed and future research directions for advancing investigations related to tetraspanins in the context of digestive system malignancies are proposed.
四跨膜蛋白家族对于控制不同的生物学过程是必不可少的，如细胞迁移、侵袭、黏附、生长、凋亡、血管生成和转移。本综述总结了目前关于四跨膜蛋白在不同类型消化系统癌症（包括胃癌、肝癌、结直肠癌、胰腺癌、食管癌和口腔癌）中的表达和作用的知识。根据癌症的类型和背景，四跨膜蛋白可以作为肿瘤促进剂或抑制剂。在本综述中，强调了四跨膜蛋白作为不同类型消化系统相关癌症的生物标志物和治疗靶点的重要性。此外，还探讨了四跨膜蛋白参与癌症进展和转移的分子机制。最后，还讨论了目前的挑战，并提出了未来研究方向，以推进与消化系统恶性肿瘤中四跨膜蛋白相关的研究。
