The transcription factor Sox2 plays an important role in various phases of embryonic development,
including cell fate and differentiation. These key regulatory functions are facilitated by binding
to specific DNA sequences in combination with partner proteins to exert their effects. Recently, overexpression
and gene amplification of Sox2 has been associated with tumor aggression and metastasis in
various cancer types, including breast, prostate, lung, ovarian and colon cancer. All the different roles
for Sox2 involve complicated regulatory networks consisting of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid
interactions. Their involvement in the EMT modulation is possibly enabled by Wnt/ β-catenin and other
signaling pathways. There are number of in vivo models which show Sox2 association with increased
cancer aggressiveness, resistance to chemo-radiation therapy and decreased survival rate suggesting
Sox2 as a therapeutic target. This review will focus on the different roles for Sox2 in metastasis and tumorigenesis.
We will also review the mechanism of action underlying the cooperative Sox2-
DNA/partner factors binding where Sox2 can be potentially explored for a therapeutic opportunity to
treat cancers.
HSP27, also known as HSPB1, was first discovered with a molecular weight 27kDa belonging to the four member gene family. Elevated levels of HSP27 are seen when different unfavorable conditions prevail such as increase in temperature and oxidative stress or exposure to heavy metals or organic solvents. They possess ATP-independent chaperone like activity which helps in maintaining protein homeostasis. It can also form large oligomers (300-600 kDa) containing different numbers of subunits. It is composed of total 205 amino acids. HSP27 undergoes post-translational modifications i.e. phosphorylation thereby converting large oligomers into dimers. It can act as an anti-apoptotic and antioxidant molecule during oxidative stress. The elevated form of HSP27 is also seen in some cancer belongs to breast, ovary, prostate, brain, colorectal, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung, liver, and cervical regions. Keeping in view of molecular roles of HSP27 signaling in various pathways, we have proposed their translational values in different diseases. In addition, we have also reported the existing scientific data on the HSP27 as the potential cancer biomarker and their therapeutic targets for improved prognosis and treatment in different diseases.
Despite the various advances made in the diagnosis and treatments, the incidence of the neurodegenerative diseases has increased manifold during the last few decades. The inadequate early diagnosis appears to be the main reason behind the significant increase in the number of neurodegenerative diseases and their poor prognosis. Next generation sequencing has been discovered as an effective and indicative tool, especially for chronic and severe neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson and Alzheimer. As a clinical apparatus, next generation sequencing will help in creating explicit hereditary focuses for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and finding new diagnostic biomarkers. Next-generation sequencing has been demonstrated to be increasingly productive, practical and utilizes molecular determination, which determines biomarkers and different targets quicker and efficiently than the other established diagnostic methods. There is a desperate requirement to change the current treatment and medication regimes in order to make better prognosis for the patients. This can be accomplished by utilizing customized drug to treat neurodegenerative diseases and using next generation sequencing with personal medicine as the method for specialized treatment of the patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.
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