S100A4 and metastasis: a small actor playing many roles

Am J Pathol. 2010 Feb;176(2):528-35. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090526. Epub 2009 Dec 17.

Abstract

The calcium-binding protein S100A4 promotes metastasis in several experimental animal models, and S100A4 protein expression is associated with patient outcome in a number of tumor types. S100A4 is localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and extracellular space and possesses a wide range of biological functions, such as regulation of angiogenesis, cell survival, motility, and invasion. In this review, we summarize the evidence connecting S100A4 and cancer metastasis and discuss the mechanisms by which S100A4 promotes tumor progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Weight
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Binding
  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  • S100 Proteins / chemistry
  • S100 Proteins / genetics
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism
  • S100 Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  • S100 Proteins
  • S100A4 protein, human