Structure, function, and mechanism of the TNFAIP8 (TIPE) family of proteins in cancer and inflammation

Abstract

The multiple roles of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-inducible protein 8 (TNFAIP8), also named TIPE family of proteins have been shown in tumor and inflammation progression and regulation of cellular autophagy and apoptosis. In this review, we found that the TIPE family showed highly homologous sequences and conserved functional domains, such as the death effector domain (DED)-like domain but displayed different roles and mechanisms in different biological activities. For example, while TIPE is primarily associated with tumor progression and antitumor drug resistance, TIPE1 suppresses tumor progression in most instances. TIPE2 has multiple roles in tumor progression regulation, and antitumor drug resistance. Moreover, TIPE2 was also involved in inflammatory response regulation, tumor typing, and staging. A few studies reported that TIPE3 was engaged in tumor development by activating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. The structure, function, and mechanism of the TIPE family in cancer and inflammation have been summarized in this review. This might serve as a reference for further research on the TIPE family and shed new light on the crosstalk among antitumor responses, inflammation, and immunology.