Title:Regulation of HIPK Proteins by MicroRNAs
Volume: 4
Issue: 3
Author(s): Andrea Conte and Giovanna Maria Pierantoni
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cancer, chemoresistance, HIPK1, HIPK2, HIPK3, microRNAs, renal fibrosis.
Abstract: Introduction: The homeodomain-interacting protein kinase (HIPK) family consists of four
evolutionarily conserved and highly related nuclear serine/threonine kinases of recent discovery. They
interact with homeobox proteins and other transcription factors, as well as transcriptional coactivators
or corepressors depending on the cellular context. HIPK proteins are sensors for various extracellular
stimuli, which control key cellular functions such as signal transduction to downstream effectors that
regulate apoptosis, embryonic development, DNA-damage response, and cellular proliferation. Thus,
HIPKs are involved in proliferative diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. mRNA levels and protein stability
tightly regulate expression levels of HIPKs. Methods: Here, we review recent works investigating the regulation of
HIPKs expression by microRNAs (miRNAs) that are involved in the control of cell proliferation, sensitivity to chemotherapeutic
drugs, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Conclusion: It appears
that HIPK family members, and their related miRNAs, may be considered as novel therapeutic targets for treating cancer,
renal fibrosis and type 2 diabetes.
