Structure vs. Function of TRIB1—Myeloid Neoplasms and Beyond

McMillan, H. D., Keeshan, K. , Dunbier, A. K. and Mace, P. D. (2021) Structure vs. Function of TRIB1—Myeloid Neoplasms and Beyond. Cancers, 13(12), 3060. (doi: 10.3390/cancers13123060) (PMID:34205360) (PMCID:PMC8235551)

Abstract

The Tribbles family of proteins—comprising TRIB1, TRIB2, TRIB3 and more distantly related STK40—play important, but distinct, roles in differentiation, development and oncogenesis. Of the four Tribbles proteins, TRIB1 has been most well characterised structurally and plays roles in diverse cancer types. The most well-understood role of TRIB1 is in acute myeloid leukaemia, where it can regulate C/EBP transcription factors and kinase pathways. Structure–function studies have uncovered conformational switching of TRIB1 from an inactive to an active state when it binds to C/EBPα. This conformational switching is centred on the active site of TRIB1, which appears to be accessible to small-molecule inhibitors in spite of its inability to bind ATP. Beyond myeloid neoplasms, TRIB1 plays diverse roles in signalling pathways with well-established roles in tumour progression. Thus, TRIB1 can affect both development and chemoresistance in leukaemia; glioma; and breast, lung and prostate cancers. The pervasive roles of TRIB1 and other Tribbles proteins across breast, prostate, lung and other cancer types, combined with small-molecule susceptibility shown by mechanistic studies, suggests an exciting potential for Tribbles as direct targets of small molecules or biomarkers to predict treatment response.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Keeshan, Dr Karen
• Authors: McMillan, H. D., Keeshan, K., Dunbier, A. K., and Mace, P. D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Cancers
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2072-6694
• Published Online: 19 June 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Cancers 13(12): 3060
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence