Controversial roles of hepatocyte nuclear receptor 4 α on tumorigenesis

Hepatocyte nuclear receptor 4 alpha (HNF4 alpha) is known to be a master transcription regulator of gene expression in multiple biological processes, particularly in liver development and liver function. To date, the function of HNF4 alpha in human cancers has been widely investigated; however, the critical roles of HNF4 alpha in tumorigenesis remain unclear. Numerous controversies exist, even in studies from different research groups but on the same type of cancer. In the present review, the critical roles of HNF4 alpha in tumorigenesis will be summarized and discussed. Furthermore, HNF4 alpha expression profile and alterations will be examined by pan-cancer analysis through bioinformatics, in order to provide a better understanding of the functional roles of this gene in human cancers.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the critical roles of HNF4 alpha in tumorigenesis and examines its expression profile and alterations through pan-cancer analysis using bioinformatics, aiming to provide a better understanding of the functional roles of this gene in human cancers.