Open AccessPotential role of septins in oral carcinogenesis: An update and avenues for future research
Author(s) -
Rooban Thavarajah,
KM Vidya,
Elizabeth Joshua,
Umadevi K Rao,
Kannan Ranganathan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology/journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.455
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1998-393X
pISSN - 0973-029X
DOI - 10.4103/0973-029x.92977
Subject(s) - septin , biology , cytokinesis , carcinogenesis , gtpase , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , cancer , cell division , cell
Septins belong to the GTPase superclass of conserved proteins and have been identified to play a role in diverse aspects of cell biology, from cytokinesis to the maintenance of cellular morphology. At least 14 septins have been identified in humans. With their complex patterns in gene expressions and interaction, it has been reported that alterations in septin expression are observed in human diseases. Although much is not known about the role of human septins in oral carcinogenesis, circumstantial evidence does indicate that it may play a major role. This review intends to summarize the basis of septin biology, with the focus being on the evidence for septin involvement in human oral cancer.