Overexpression of the natural tetrapeptide acetyl-N-ser-asp-lys-pro derived from thymosin beta 4 in neoplastic diseases

Jian-Miao Liu, Maria-Concepcion Garcia-Alvarez, Jerome Bignon, Michal Kusinski, Krzysztof Kuzdak, Andrew Riches, Joanna Wdzieczak-Bakala

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The natural tetrapeptide acetyl-ser-asp-lys-pro (AcSDKP) is formed in vivo by enzymatic cleavage of the N terminus of thymosin beta 4 by prolyl oligopeptidase (POP). Recently, AcSDKP was shown to promote angiogenesis. Because of the critical role of neovascularization in cancer development, the levels of AcSDKP and POP activity in a number of different malignant tissues were investigated. Our studies revealed that AcSDKP levels were markedly elevated in neoplastic diseases including hematologic malignancies and solid neoplasms. Consistent with this finding, the enhanced activity of POP was also detected in all analyzed specimens of cancer tissues. Both these novel findings are in concert with the previously reported overexpression of thymosin beta 4 in a large variety of malignant tumors and with its potential role in cancerogenesis. The physiological relevance of these findings awaits further studies; however, our first results strongly suggest a key role for AcSDKP in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTHYMOSINS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
EditorsE Garaci, AL Goldstein
Place of PublicationOXFORD
PublisherBlackwell
Pages53-59
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)978-1-57331-801-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Event2nd International Symposium on Thymosins in Health and Disease - Catania
Duration: 30 Sept 20092 Oct 2009

Conference

Conference2nd International Symposium on Thymosins in Health and Disease
CityCatania
Period30/09/092/10/09

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