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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Review

Role of Smac/DIABLO in cancer progression

Authors: Gustavo Martinez-Ruiz, Vilma Maldonado, Gisela Ceballos-Cancino, Juan P Reyes Grajeda, Jorge Melendez-Zajgla

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI (Smac/DIABLO) is a proapoptogenic mitochondrial protein that is released to the cytosol in response to diverse apoptotic stimuli, including commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs. In the cytosol, Smac/DIABLO interacts and antagonizes inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), thus allowing the activation of caspases and apoptosis. This activity has prompted the synthesis of peptidomimetics that could potentially be used in cancer therapy. For these reasons, several authors have analyzed the expression levels of Smac/DIABLO in samples of patients from different tumors. Although dissimilar results have been found, a tissue-specific role of this protein emerges from the data. The objective of this review is to present the current knowledge of the Smac/DIABLO role in cancer and its possible use as a marker or therapeutic target for drug design.
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Metadata
Title
Role of Smac/DIABLO in cancer progression
Authors
Gustavo Martinez-Ruiz
Vilma Maldonado
Gisela Ceballos-Cancino
Juan P Reyes Grajeda
Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-9966-27-48

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