Open AccessThe pathobiology of Krüppel-like factors in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Amr M. Ghaleb,
Vincent W. Yang
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
current colorectal cancer reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.614
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1556-3804
pISSN - 1556-3790
DOI - 10.1007/s11888-008-0011-4
Subject(s) - klf4 , krüppel , colorectal cancer , mouse model of colorectal and intestinal cancer , medicine , cancer research , carcinogenesis , zinc finger , gastrointestinal tract , transcription factor , inflammation , cancer , bioinformatics , oncology , biology , genetics , gene , sox2
The Krüppel-like factor (KLF) proteins are zinc finger-containing transcription factors that exert important functions in regulating diverse biologic processes such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, development, inflammation, and apoptosis. Many KLFs have also been shown to play significant roles in tumorigenesis of various organs and tissues. Three in particular-KLF4, KLF5, and KLF6-are often dysregulated in tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, including colorectal cancer. This article reviews the functions of these three KLFs in normal gastrointestinal biology and their pathobiologic roles in colorectal cancer.