How germline genes promote malignancy in cancer cells.
Bioessays
; 45(1): e2200112, 2023 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36300921
ABSTRACT
Cancers often express hundreds of genes otherwise specific to germ cells, the germline/cancer (GC) genes. Here, we present and discuss the hypothesis that activation of a "germline program" promotes cancer cell malignancy. We do so by proposing four hallmark processes of the germline meiosis, epigenetic plasticity, migration, and metabolic plasticity. Together, these hallmarks enable replicative immortality of germ cells as well as cancer cells. Especially meiotic genes are frequently expressed in cancer, implying that genes unique to meiosis may play a role in oncogenesis. Because GC genes are not expressed in healthy somatic tissues, they form an appealing source of specific treatment targets with limited side effects besides infertility. Although it is still unclear why germ cell specific genes are so abundantly expressed in cancer, from our hypothesis it follows that the germline's reproductive program is intrinsic to cancer development.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article