The survivin molecule as a double‐edged sword in cellular physiologic and pathologic conditions and its role as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer

Abstract

Survivin is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitory proteins with increased expression level in most cancerous tissues. Evidence shows that survivin plays regulatory roles in proliferation or survival of normal adult cells, principally vascular endothelial cells, T lymphocytes, primitive hematopoietic cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Survivin antiapoptotic role is, directly and indirectly, related to caspase proteins and shows its role in cell division through the chromosomal passenger complex. Survivin contains many genetic polymorphisms that the role of some variations has been proven in several cancers. The −31G/C polymorphism is one of the most important survivin mutations which is located in the promoter region on a CDE/CHR motif. This polymorphism can upregulate the survivin messenger RNA. In addition, its allele C can increase the risk of cancers in 1.27-fold than allele G.

Promotion of ubiquitination-dependent survivin destruction contributes to xanthohumol-mediated tumor suppression and overcomes radioresistance in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Previous reported showed that survivin is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and is generally believed to function as apoptotic suppressor to maintain survival of cancer cells. In contrast, the smaller fraction of nuclear localized survivin is considered to act as a component of CPC complex to promote cell cycle progression, suggesting that the different subcellular pools of survivin exhibit distinct biological functions (13)(14)(15)(16). Thus, as an oncoprotein that is both essential for mitosis and apoptosis inhibition, survivin seemed a promising novel target for anti-cancer treatment.…”

Gene Therapy for Liver Cancers: Current Status from Basic to Clinics

“…Other potential target oncogenes, including Yes-associated protein [54], which is a member of the Hippo signaling pathway contributing to organ size control and tumorigenesis, have emerged as attractive targets for cancer therapeutics for liver cancer [55,56]. Survivin, which is a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitory proteins, has increased expression in various cancers [57] and, as a result, has been considered as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC gene therapy [58].…”

Promotion of ubiquitination-dependent survivin destruction contributes to xanthohumol-mediated tumor suppression and overcomes radioresistance in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Previous reported showed that survivin is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and is generally believed to function as apoptotic suppressor to maintain survival of cancer cells. In contrast, the smaller fraction of nuclear localized survivin is considered to act as a component of CPC complex to promote cell cycle progression, suggesting that the different subcellular pools of survivin exhibit distinct biological functions [13][14][15][16]. Thus, as an oncoprotein that is both essential for mitosis and apoptosis inhibition, survivin seemed a promising novel target for anticancer treatment.…”