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Two neuroendocrine G protein‐coupled receptor molecules, somatostatin and melatonin: Physiology of signal transduction and therapeutic perspectives
Author(s) -
Costanzi Eva,
Simioni Carolina,
Conti Ilaria,
Laface Ilaria,
Varano Gabriele,
Brenna Cinzia,
Neri Luca M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.30062
Subject(s) - g protein coupled receptor , melatonin , somatostatin , somatostatin receptor , signal transduction , receptor , biology , cell signaling , melatonin receptor , computational biology , carcinogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , cancer research , neuroscience , bioinformatics , biochemistry , genetics
Abstract Recent studies have shown that G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest signal‐conveying receptor family, are targets for mutations occurring frequently in different cancer types. GPCR alterations associated with cancer development represent significant challenges for the discovery and the advancement of targeted therapeutics. Among the different molecules that can activate GPCRs, we focused on two molecules that exert their biological actions regulating many typical features of tumorigenesis such as cellular proliferation, survival, and invasion: somatostatin and melatonin. The modulation of signaling pathways, that involves these two molecules, opens an interesting scenario for cancer therapy, with the opportunity to act at different molecular levels. Therefore, the aim of this review is the analysis of the biological activity and the therapeutic potential of somatostatin and melatonin, displaying a high affinity for GPCRs, that interfere with cancer development and maintenance.