Roles of nucleolin: Focus on cancer and anti-cancer therapy

Authors

• Zhuo Chen, From the Department of Oncology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University & Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Yichang, China
• XinHua Xu, From the Department of Oncology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University & Yichang Central People’s Hospital, Yichang, China

Abstract

Nucleolin, a multifunctional protein distributed in the nucleolus, participates in many modulations including rDNA transcription, RNA metabolism, and ribosome assembly. Nucleolin is also found in the cytoplasm and on the cell membrane, and surface nucleolin can bind to various ligands to affect many physiological functions. The expression and localization of nucleolin is often abnormal in cancers, as the differential distribution of nucleolin in cancer can influence the carcinogenesis, proliferation, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells, leading to the cancer progression. Thus, nucleolin may be a novel and promising target for anti-cancer treatment. Here, we describe how nucleolin act functions in cancer development and describe nucleolin-dependent anti-cancer therapies.

Article Type

Review

First Page

1312

Last Page

1318

Recommended Citation

Chen, Zhuo and Xu, XinHua (2016) "Roles of nucleolin: Focus on cancer and anti-cancer therapy," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 37: Iss. 12, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2016.12.15972