Open AccessA sticky situation: CCN1 promotes both proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells
Author(s) -
Leask Andrew
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-009-0079-x
Subject(s) - cyr61 , matricellular protein , ctgf , apoptosis , cancer cell , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , cell adhesion , gene knockdown , cancer research , integrin , adhesion , chemistry , cell , biology , extracellular matrix , biochemistry , growth factor , receptor , genetics , organic chemistry
Members of the CCN family of matricellular signaling regulators promote cell adhesion through integrins and heparan sulfate‐containing proteoglycans. A paradox of the CCN field is that, depending on the set of circumstances examined, individual CCN molecules can have quite different, and often opposing, effects. In a recent report, Franzen and colleagues (Mol Cancer Res. 7:1045–1055, 2009) show using siRNA knockdown that CCN1 (cyr61) is essential for the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Intriguingly, on the other hand, CCN1 also enhances TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. Thus the utility of anti‐CCN1 therapy in cancer needs to be carefully considered in light of these divergent results. The significance of this paper is discussed.