Open AccessProtease-activated receptors – biology and role in cancer
Author(s) -
Dominika Hempel,
Ewa Sierko,
Marek Z. Wojtukiewicz
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
postępy higieny i medycyny doświadczalnej
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.275
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1732-2693
pISSN - 0032-5449
DOI - 10.5604/17322693.1209209
Subject(s) - receptor , cancer , cancer cell , protease activated receptor , thrombin , biology , matrix metalloproteinase , cancer research , g protein coupled receptor , inflammation , mechanism (biology) , proteolytic enzymes , signal transduction , tissue factor , microbiology and biotechnology , protease , coagulation , immunology , medicine , platelet , enzyme , biochemistry , genetics , philosophy , epistemology
The fact that blood coagulation disorders may accompany malignant disease is well established. However, many studies have shown that components of the haemostatic system may also elicit signaling leading to cancer developement and progression. The potential mechanism by which coagulation factors play a role in cancer invasion is not completely understood, but one hypothesis is that protease-activated receptors (PARs) play a prominent role. PARs are transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated by a unique proteolytic mechanism. They have important functions in haemostasis and inflammation but may also be implicated in cancer cell progression. Thrombin, tissue factor (TF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main activators of these receptors. The mechanism of persistent activation of PARs was also described in cancer cells. Here, we discuss the physiological and pathological role of PARs with a particular focus on PARs' contribution to cancer biology. We also present therapeutic options tailored specifically to inhibition of PAR-induced signalling in cancer patients.