Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(13):5103-5122. doi:10.7150/ijbs.75410 This issue Cite

Review

Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials

Qiu Peng1*, Shiming Tan1*, Longzheng Xia1, Nayiyuan Wu1, Linda Oyang1, Yanyan Tang1, Min Su1, Xia Luo1, Ying Wang1, Xiaowu Sheng1, Yujuan Zhou1,2✉, Qianjin Liao1,2 ✉

1. Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
2. Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
* Contributed equally

Citation:
Peng Q, Tan S, Xia L, Wu N, Oyang L, Tang Y, Su M, Luo X, Wang Y, Sheng X, Zhou Y, Liao Q. Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(13):5103-5122. doi:10.7150/ijbs.75410. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p5103.htm
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Abstract

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Cancer is a public health problem of great concern, and it is also one of the main causes of death in the world. Cancer is a disease characterized by dysregulation of diverse cellular processes, including avoiding growth inhibitory factors, avoiding immune damage and promoting metastasis, etc. However, the precise mechanism of tumorigenesis and tumor progression still needs to be further elucidated. Formations of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) condensates are a common strategy for cells to achieve diverse functions, such as chromatin organization, signal transduction, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation, etc. The biomolecular aggregates formed by LLPS are mainly driven by multivalent weak interactions mediated by intrinsic disordered regions (IDRs) in proteins. In recent years, aberrant phase separations and transition have been reported to be related to the process of various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Herein, we discussed recent findings that phase separation regulates tumor-related signaling pathways and thus contributes to tumor progression. We also reviewed some tumor virus-associated proteins to regulate the development of virus-associated tumors via phase separation. Finally, we discussed some possible strategies for treating tumors by targeting phase separation.

Keywords: phase separation, cancer, biomolecular condensates, tumor-related signaling pathways, virus-associated tumors


Citation styles

APA
Peng, Q., Tan, S., Xia, L., Wu, N., Oyang, L., Tang, Y., Su, M., Luo, X., Wang, Y., Sheng, X., Zhou, Y., Liao, Q. (2022). Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 18(13), 5103-5122. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.75410.

ACS
Peng, Q.; Tan, S.; Xia, L.; Wu, N.; Oyang, L.; Tang, Y.; Su, M.; Luo, X.; Wang, Y.; Sheng, X.; Zhou, Y.; Liao, Q. Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2022, 18 (13), 5103-5122. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.75410.

NLM
Peng Q, Tan S, Xia L, Wu N, Oyang L, Tang Y, Su M, Luo X, Wang Y, Sheng X, Zhou Y, Liao Q. Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(13):5103-5122. doi:10.7150/ijbs.75410. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p5103.htm

CSE
Peng Q, Tan S, Xia L, Wu N, Oyang L, Tang Y, Su M, Luo X, Wang Y, Sheng X, Zhou Y, Liao Q. 2022. Phase separation in Cancer: From the Impacts and Mechanisms to Treatment potentials. Int J Biol Sci. 18(13):5103-5122.

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