Recent insight into the role of FBXW7 as a tumor suppressor

Abstract

FBXW7 (also known as Fbw7, Sel10, hCDC4, or hAgo) is a tumor suppressor and the most frequently mutated member of the F-box protein family in human cancers. FBXW7 functions as the substrate recognition component of an SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. It specifically controls the proteasome-mediated degradation of many oncoproteins such as c-MYC, NOTCH, KLF5, cyclin E, c-JUN, and MCL1. In this review, we summarize the molecular and biological features of FBXW7 and its substrates as well as the impact of mutations of FBXW7 on cancer development. We also address the clinical potential of anticancer therapy targeting FBXW7.

Keywords: Cancer stem cells; Chemoresistance; FBXW7; Mutations in cancer; Ubiquitin-Proteasome system.