Advancement of studies on second mitochondrial activator of caspase.
- Author:
Zhen ZHAO
1
;
Rui HUANG
;
Anren KUANG
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins;
chemistry;
metabolism;
physiology;
Mitochondrial Proteins;
chemistry;
metabolism;
physiology;
Neoplasms;
therapy;
Tissue Distribution
- From:
Journal of Biomedical Engineering
2013;30(3):666-669
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Smac is a mitochondrial protein that interacts with inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Upon apoptotic stimuli, the Smac is released into the cytoplasm to inhibit the capase-binding activity of IAPs. The low expression of Smac in tissues has been reported existing in various cancers. Smac plays key roles in prognosis and chemoradiotherapy resistance of malignant tumor besides neoplasm genesis and growth. Furthermore, Smac may be a molecular therapeutic target in cancer patients. Overexpression of Smac by transfecting extrinsic Smac gene or Smac mimetic into tumor cell can improve their sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which has great significance to the treatment of tumor. Our review will focus on the roles of Smac in structure, pro-apoptotic mechanism, tissue distribution and cancer treatment.
