The dark side of ZNF217, a key regulator of tumorigenesis with powerful biomarker value

Oncotarget. 2015 Dec 8;6(39):41566-81. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.5893.

Abstract

The recently described oncogene ZNF217 belongs to a chromosomal region that is frequently amplified in human cancers. Recent findings have revealed that alternative mechanisms such as epigenetic regulation also govern the expression of the encoded ZNF217 protein. Newly discovered molecular functions of ZNF217 indicate that it orchestrates complex intracellular circuits as a new key regulator of tumorigenesis. In this review, we focus on recent research on ZNF217-driven molecular functions in human cancers, revisiting major hallmarks of cancer and highlighting the downstream molecular targets and signaling pathways of ZNF217. We also discuss the exciting translational medicine investigating ZNF217 expression levels as a new powerful biomarker, and ZNF217 as a candidate target for future anti-cancer therapies.

Keywords: ZNF217; biomarker; carcinogenesis; hallmarks of cancer; oncogene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism*
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Ribonucleosides / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ribonucleosides
  • Trans-Activators
  • ZNF217 protein, human
  • triciribine