The emerging role of ectodermal neural cortex 1 in cancer

Abstract

Ectodermal neural cortex 1 (ENC1) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Numerous studies have shown that ENC1 is overexpressed in various types of cancers, including breast, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer, and its upregulation is correlated with a poorer prognosis. In addition to its role in cancer growth and spreading, ENC1 has also been linked to neuronal process development and neural crest cell differentiation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the relationship between ENC1 and cancer. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which ENC1 contributes to tumorigenesis, including its involvement in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. We also summarize the potential of targeting ENC1 for cancer therapy, as its inhibition has been shown to significantly reduce cancer cell invasion, growth, and metastasis. Finally, we highlight the remaining gaps in our understanding of ENC1’s role in cancer and propose potential directions for future research.