Unravelling the tumor-suppressive functions of FOXO proteins

Trends Cell Biol. 2008 Sep;18(9):421-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2008.07.004. Epub 2008 Aug 18.

Abstract

Members of the forkhead box O (FOXO) family of transcription factors have been postulated to be tumor suppressors because of their established roles in cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, DNA-damage repair and scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Recently, several animal model studies have shown that the FOXO proteins are indeed tumor suppressors. Furthermore, FOXO proteins have recently been implicated in the negative regulation of signaling by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 during vascular development, raising the possibility that the FOXO proteins suppress not only tumor formation but also tumor angiogenesis and, possibly, metastasis. Here, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the roles of FOXO family members in tumor suppression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • DNA Damage
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins