Abstract
Simple SummaryFascin, an actin-binding protein, is upregulated in different types of human cancers. It is reportedly responsible for increasing the invasive and metastatic ability of cancer cells by reducing cell–cell adhesions. This review provides a brief overview of fascin and its interactions with other genes and oncoviruses to induce the onset and progression of cancer.Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the FSCN1 gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of fascin was found in oncovirus-infected cells, such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), disrupting the cell–cell adhesion and enhancing cancer progression. Based on these findings, several studies reported fascin as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target in various cancers. This review provides a brief overview of the FSCN1 role in various cancers with emphasis on gynecological malignancies. We also discuss fascin interactions with other genes and oncoviruses through which it might induce cancer development and progression.
Highlights
IntroductionKnown as fascin-1 (FSCN1) or actin-bundling protein-1, is a globular filamentous actin-binding protein belonging to the actin cytoskeletal protein family [1]
Fascin, known as fascin-1 (FSCN1) or actin-bundling protein-1, is a globular filamentous actin-binding protein belonging to the actin cytoskeletal protein family [1].Molecular cloning techniques showed fascin to be highly conserved during the course of evolution
The actin-binding site (ABS)-1 region is located in the first beta-trefoil domain between amino acids 33–47 and consists of a highly conserved site (Ser39) in the center of ABS-1, which can be phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC); studies have indicated Ser39 phosphorylation inhibits FSCN1 activity [22,23]
Summary
Known as fascin-1 (FSCN1) or actin-bundling protein-1, is a globular filamentous actin-binding protein belonging to the actin cytoskeletal protein family [1]. In addition to its role in maintaining actin structure, FSCN1 regulates several cellular physiological processes, including cell-to-cell interactions, cell-to-matrix adhesion, cell motility, cell migration and invasion as well as focal adhesion dynamics, histone methylation, and gene transcription [9,10,11,12,13]. FSCN1 is expressed during development in the mesenchymal and nervous tissues and is the most extensively studied form of fascin [14]. FSCN3 is present in the testis and developing spermatozoa [17]. Both FSCN-2 and -3 are homologous to FSCN-1 by 56% and 29%, respectively. We discuss the current knowledge of FSCN1 and its underlying mechanisms in order to elucidate its multiple roles in the onset and progression of gynecological cancer
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