Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase: key kinase for stem cell phenotype in glioma and other cancers.

摘要: Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the snf1/AMPK family protein serine/threonine kinases that has recently gained significant attention in stem cell and cancer biology field. Recent studies suggest activation this tightly associated with extended survival accelerated proliferation cells (CSC) various organs. Overexpression MELK been noted cancers, including colon, breast, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, brain, making inhibition an attractive therapeutic strategy for variety cancers. In experimental models, depletion by RNA interference or small molecule inhibitors induces apoptotic death CSCs derived from glioblastoma multiforme breast cancer, both vitro vivo . Mechanism action includes, yet may not be restricted to, direct binding oncogenic transcription factors c-JUN FOXM1 but normal counterparts. Following these preclinical studies, phase I clinical trial advanced cancers OTSSP167 started 2013, as first-in-class inhibitor. This review summarizes current molecular understanding recent about target. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(6); 1393–8. ©2014 AACR