Nuclear phospholipase C in biological control and cancer

Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. 2011;21(3):291-301. doi: 10.1615/critreveukargeneexpr.v21.i3.50.

Abstract

Inositol lipids are key regulators of several cellular functions. The identification of an independent nuclear polyphosphoinositides signaling machinery has led the way to find new roles for these molecules. PI-PLC-β1 is the most extensively studied PLC isoform in the nuclear compartment and a key player in the regulation of nuclear lipid signaling. Nuclear PI-PLC-β1 is involved in cell cycle progression and differentiation in response to growth factor stimulation. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that nuclear phosphoinositides are also involved in cancer cell generation, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. Evidence on ex vivo human cancer cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) confirmed these observations, suggesting the involvement of PI-PLC-β1 both in the pathogenesis of the disease and in the progression of MDS to acute myeloid leukemia. These studies have offered new targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies as well as new prognostic tools.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phosphatidylinositols / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Type C Phospholipases / chemistry
  • Type C Phospholipases / genetics
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Phosphatidylinositols
  • Type C Phospholipases