干细胞基因Musashi-1研究进展

摘要

Musashi is a family of RNA binding proteins with a conservative evolution. This protein family is selectively ex-pressed in the nervous system and comprises two members, namely, Musashi-1 and Musashi-2. Musashi-1 and Musashi-2 are transla-tional suppressors of Numb mRNA and can synergistically regulate the Notch signaling pathway;as a result, an asymmetric division of stem cells occurs. Musashi-1 is the first member of the family and was originally isolated from Drosophila. As a candidate stem gene, Musashi-1 participates in disease progression in stem cells. Musashi-1 is also an important protein that maintains the functions of stem cells, participates in tumor-related signaling pathways, and participates in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore, Musashi-1 is overexpressed in many solid tumors, such as neuroglioma, esophagus, gastric, colorectal, and breast cancers. Studies on Musashi-1 can provide new insights into genetic diagnosis and cancer treatments. In this study, the structure and function of Musashi-1 and the re-search progress of tumor mechanisms were summarized and reviewed.%Musashi家族是一类进化保守的RNA结合蛋白家族，可选择性的表达于神经系统干/祖细胞，包括Musashi-1和Musashi-2成员。Musashi-1是第1个最早发现于果蝇的Musashi家族成员，Musashi-1与Musashi-2蛋白通过抑制其目标蛋白Numb mRNA的翻译过程，协同激活Notch信号通路，参与干细胞非对称分裂。Musashi-1目前作为一个公认的干细胞候选基因，在参与肿瘤有关信号通路、细胞增殖与凋亡等很多方面都起着重要作用。神经胶质瘤、食管癌、胃癌、结肠癌、乳腺癌等实体肿瘤中均出现Musashi-1基因的高表达，Musashi的研究将对临床肿瘤疾病基因层面的深入研究和诊断治疗提供新途径。本文主要针对Musashi-1的结构、功能及其在肿瘤发生发展中的研究进展进行综述。