Abstract
Tumor suppressor genes play an important role in preventing neoplastic transformation and maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. Par-4 is one such tumor suppressor which is unique in its ability to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving the normal cells unaffected. The cancer cell specific activity of Par-4 is elicited through intracellular as well as extracellular mechanisms. Intracellularly Par-4 acts through the inhibition of pro-survival pathways and activation of Fas mediated apoptosis whereas extracellular (secreted Par-4) acts by binding to cell surface GRP78 leading to activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Many studies have highlighted the importance of Par-4 not only in preventing cancer development/recurrence but also as a promising anticancer therapeutic agent.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by KLCR grant and NIH/NCI grant CA060872 (to VMR). The authors thank the past and present members of the Rangnekar Laboratory and collaborators who contributed to the work described in this review article.
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Hebbar, N., Shrestha-Bhattarai, T., Rangnekar, V.M. (2014). Cancer-Selective Apoptosis by Tumor Suppressor Par-4. In: Grimm, S. (eds) Anticancer Genes. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 818. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6458-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6458-6_7
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