Glucose regulated protein 78: A critical link between tumor microenvironment and cancer hallmarks

Zongwei Li, Zhuoyu Li

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) has long been recognized as a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and can be induced by the ER stress response. Besides its location in the ER, GRP78 has been found to be present in cell plasma membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, nucleus as well as cellular secretions. GRP78 is implicated in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, immune escape, metastasis and angiogenesis, and its elevated expression usually correlates with a variety of tumor microenvironmental stresses, including hypoxia, glucose deprivation, lactic acidosis and inflammatory response. GRP78 protein acts as a centrally located sensor of stress, which feels and adapts to the alteration in the tumor microenvironment. This article reviews the potential contributions of GRP78 to the acquisition of cancer hallmarks based on intervening in stress responses caused by tumor niche alterations. The paper also introduces several potential GRP78 relevant targeted therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13-22
Number of pages10
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer
Volume1826
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Cancer hallmarks
  • Glucose regulated protein 78
  • Microenvironment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

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