Title:CRIM1, the Antagonist of BMPs, is a Potential Risk Factor of Cancer
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Author(s): Hui Zeng and Liling Tang
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antagonist, angiogenesis, BMPs, cancer treatment targets, CRIM1, EMT.
Abstract: Cysteine-rich motor neuron1 protein (CRIM1), a novel antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), is
reported to regulate the processing of BMPs preprotein into mature protein and the delivery of BMPs to the cell surface.
Previous studies have shown that CRIM1 is an important player in regulating placental development, organogenesis,
angiogenesis and kidney disease. Here, we propose that CRIM1 is a potential risk factor in cancer progression and
metastasis. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is characterized by the loss of epithelial phenotype and
the acquisition of mesenchymal characteristics, is closely associated with invasion and metastasis of tumors. At the same
time, it is hard for us to ignore the importance of angiogenesis in the genesis and progression of cancer. In this review we
summarized the construction and previous researches of CRIM1. Furthermore, as it may be involved in tumor
development and progression through its potential role in the EMT, capillary formation and angiogenesis maintenance, we
proposed for the first time that CRIM1 may be a cancer related factor.
