Open AccessMultifaceted p21 in carcinogenesis, stemness of tumor and tumor therapy
Author(s) -
Boduan Xiao,
Yujia Zhao,
Xiaoyuan Jia,
Jiong Wu,
Yigang Wang,
Fang Huang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
world journal of stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.907
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1948-0210
DOI - 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i6.481
Subject(s) - cancer research , cell cycle , carcinogenesis , retinoblastoma , oncolytic virus , biology , retinoblastoma protein , cancer stem cell , regulator , cancer , metastasis , tumor suppressor gene , cyclin dependent kinase , stem cell , cancer cell , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , tumor cells
Cancer cells possess metabolic properties that are different from those of benign cells. p21, encoded by CDKN1A gene, also named p21 Cip1/WAF1 , was first identified as a cyclin-dependent kinase regulator that suppresses cell cycle G1/S phase and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. CDKN1A (p21) acts as the downstream target gene of TP53 (p53), and its expression is induced by wild-type p53 and it is not associated with mutant p53. p21 has been characterized as a vital regulator that involves multiple cell functions, including G1/S cell cycle progression, cell growth, DNA damage, and cell stemness. In 1994, p21 was found as a tumor suppressor in brain, lung and colon cancer by targeting p53 and was associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. Notably, p21 plays a significant role in tumor development through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. In addition, expression of p21 is closely related to the resting state or terminal differentiation of cells. p21 is also associated with cancer stem cells and acts as a biomarker for such cells. In cancer therapy, given the importance of p21 in regulating the G1/S and G2 check points, it is not surprising that p21 is implicated in response to many cancer treatments and p21 promotes the effect of oncolytic virotherapy.