Metastasis and the ZBP1 Gene

Cancer is a difficult problem to deal with in that there are so many moving molecular parts, the malfunction of only one of which can cause cancer. The previous blog entry noted the importance of a gene known as p18. Its malfunction can lead to breast cancer. Gene In Breast Cancer Pathway Identified, is a Science Daily article with an emphasis on metastasis and its linkage to a gene called ZBP1. Metastasis is a medical term referring to the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Quoting from the first paragraph of the article:

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered how a gene crucial in triggering the spread of breast cancer is turned on and off. The findings could help predict whether breast tumors will metastasize and also reveal potential drug targets for preventing metastasis.

Zipcode binding protein (ZBP1) appears to be active during the embryonic stage of development as it seems to have movement, growth and organization functions that are critical at that point. But in adult tissue the gene is usually not expressed or so it seems. If however, it is expressed in adult tissue then some undesireble results may acrue such as the metastasis of a malignant tumor. Details are at the linked article.