Multiple roles of COUP-TFII in cancer initiation and progression

    1. Carolyn M Klinge
    1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
    1. (Correspondence should be addressed to C M Klinge; Email: carolyn.klinge{at}louisville.edu)

    Abstract

    Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan nuclear receptor that acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor in a cell type-dependent manner. Best characterized for its role in the regulation of angiogenesis during mouse development, COUP-TFII also plays important roles in glucose metabolism and cancer. Expression of COUP-TFII is altered in various endocrine conditions. Cell type-specific functions and the regulation of COUP-TFII expression result in its varying physiological and pathological actions in diverse systems. Evidence will be reviewed for oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions of COUP-TFII, with roles in angiogenesis, metastasis, steroidogenesis, and endocrine sensitivity of breast cancer described. The applicability of current data to our understanding of the role of COUP-TFII in cancer will be discussed.

    • Revision received 21 August 2012
    • Accepted 10 September 2012
    • Made available online as an Accepted Preprint 10 September 2012
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