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Cancer-Selective Apoptosis by Tumor Suppressor Par-4

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Anticancer Genes

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 818))

Abstract

Tumor suppressor genes play an important role in preventing neoplastic transformation and maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. Par-4 is one such tumor suppressor which is unique in its ability to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving the normal cells unaffected. The cancer cell specific activity of Par-4 is elicited through intracellular as well as extracellular mechanisms. Intracellularly Par-4 acts through the inhibition of pro-survival pathways and activation of Fas mediated apoptosis whereas extracellular (secreted Par-4) acts by binding to cell surface GRP78 leading to activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Many studies have highlighted the importance of Par-4 not only in preventing cancer development/recurrence but also as a promising anticancer therapeutic agent.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by KLCR grant and NIH/NCI grant CA060872 (to VMR). The authors thank the past and present members of the Rangnekar Laboratory and collaborators who contributed to the work described in this review article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Combs Building Room 326, Lexington, KY, USA

    Nikhil Hebbar, Tripti Shrestha-Bhattarai & Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D.

  2. Departments of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D.

  3. Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D.

  4. L. P. Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Nikhil Hebbar
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  2. Tripti Shrestha-Bhattarai
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  3. Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vivek M. Rangnekar Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

    Stefan Grimm

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

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Hebbar, N., Shrestha-Bhattarai, T., Rangnekar, V.M. (2014). Cancer-Selective Apoptosis by Tumor Suppressor Par-4. In: Grimm, S. (eds) Anticancer Genes. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 818. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6458-6_7

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