Myeloid leukemia factor 1: A “double-edged sword” in health and disease

Abstract

The occurrence and development of malignancies are closely related to abnormal cell cycle regulation. Myeloid leukemia factor 1 (MLF1) is a small nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein associated with cell cycle exit, apoptosis, and certain immune functions. Therefore, it is pertinent to explore the role of MLF1 in health and diseases. Studies to date have suggested that MLF1 could act as a double-edged sword, regulating biochemical activities directly or indirectly. In hematopoietic cells, it serves as a protective factor for the development of lineages, and in malignancies, it serves as an oncogenesis factor. The diversity of its functions depends on the binding partners, including tumor inhibitors, scaffolding molecules, mitochondrial membrane proteins, and transcription factors. Emerging evidence indicates that MLF1 influences immune responses as well. This paper reviews the structure, biological function, and research progress on MLF1 in health and diseases to provide new insights for future research.

Persistent lung inflammation and alveolar-bronchiolization due to Notch signaling dysregulation in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamster

“…To be noted, significant upregulation of several pro-tumor genes or genes positively regulating cell cycles, including tubulin beta 4B class IVB ( Tubb4b ), syntaxin binding protein 4 ( Stxbp4 ), growth factor receptor bound protein 14 ( Grb14 ), Myeloid leukemia factor 1 ( Mlf1 ), Mucin 1 ( Muc1 ) and P53 Apoptosis Effector Related To PMP22 ( Perp ) were detected in abnormal regions (Fig 9f). Upregulation of these genes was observed in lung cancer tissues and some genes were demonstrated to drive lung tumor growth ( 31–36 ). This indicate the abnormal regions are possible to be precursor of lung cancer.…”

“…Recent studies implicated that Tubb4b is essential for cancer stem cell niche maintenance via cooperation with Ephrin-B1 and Tubb4b promotes tumor growth and metastasis through lung cancer cells and monocyte crosstalk (36,54). Studies also demonstrate upregulation of Mlf1 in lung SCC (31), elevation of Perp (32) and Grb14 in lung adenocarcinoma (34), and increased Muc1 expression in lung cancer and precancerous lesions (33). Taken together, our data suggest increased risk of lung carcinoma after SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in those with lung abnormalities.…”