Trends Mol Med. 2013 Feb;19(2):89-98.
E2F1 apoptosis counterattacked: evil strikes back.
Pützer BM, Engelmann D.
Resistance to genotoxic drugs is the major cause of cancer therapy failure. In the past, E2F1 was recognized as a key regulator of apoptosis, but the latest evidence reveals that this transcription factor is aberrantly high in late-stage cancers and instead of apoptosis promotes tumor invasion and metastasis. This newly discovered activity of deregulated E2F1 reflects a cell context-dependent loss of its death-inducing function. We highlight the role of E2F1 in drug resistance by focusing on recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that counteract E2F1-induced apoptosis signaling in damaged cells. These mechanisms explain the paradox of high E2F1 expression in advanced tumors, highlight potential loopholes for cancers to escape from conventional treatment, and imply novel therapeutic strategies.
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Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research
Core-Facility Viral Vector & Genome-Editing Technologies
Biomedical Research Center
Schillingallee 69
D-18057 Rostock
Office
Ingrid Winkler
(+49) 381 494-5066(+49) 381 494-5062
ingrid.winkler@med.uni-rostock.de
Department Life, Light & Matter
Research Building LL&M
Albert-Einstein-Str. 25
D-18059 Rostock
Research Building LL&M
Albert-Einstein-Str. 25
D-18059 Rostock