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Review
. 2022 Apr 9;10(5):1820-1832.
doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.013. eCollection 2023 Sep.

KRAB-ZFPs and cancer stem cells identity

Anna Olechnowicz  1   2   3 , Urszula Oleksiewicz  1   4 , Marta Machnik  1   4
Affiliations
Review

KRAB-ZFPs and cancer stem cells identity

Anna Olechnowicz et al. Genes Dis. .

Abstract

Studies on carcinogenesis continue to provide new information about different disease-related processes. Among others, much research has focused on the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation and progression. Studying the similarities and differences between CSCs and physiological stem cells (SCs) allows for a better understanding of cancer biology. Recently, it was shown that stem cell identity is partially governed by the Krϋppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the biggest family of transcription regulators. Several KRAB-ZFP factors exert a known effect in tumor cells, acting as tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) or oncogenes, yet their role in CSCs is still poorly characterized. Here, we review recent studies regarding the influence of KRAB-ZFPs and their cofactor protein TRIM28 on CSCs phenotype, stemness features, migration and invasion potential, metastasis, and expression of parental markers.

Keywords: Cancer; Cancer stem cell; Epigenetic; KRAB-ZFP; Transcription factors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TRIM28 and KRAB-ZFPs are involved in different biological processes in physiological and cancer stem cells.
Figure 2
Figure 2
KRAB-ZFP/TRIM28 protein complex is involved in activation (green) and repression (red) of several biological processes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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