TRIM21-A potential novel therapeutic target in cancer

Tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21) is well known to be involved in innate immunity, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. In addition, TRIM21 involvement in cancer proliferation has been observed. However, the clinical significance of TRIM21 and its role in cancer cell proliferation and suppression remains elusive. Here we discuss the effects of TRIM21 on major cancer promoting proteins such as NF-kappa B, STAT3, BCL2, p53, p27 and Snail, comparing its signaling pathways under normal conditions and in the presence of a variety of carcinogenesis effectors (oncogenic, genotoxic and UV irradiation). Depending on the cancer type and the carcinogenesis effector, TRIM21 may enhance cancer proliferation, or alternatively it may increase the ubiquitination of many cancer-triggering proteins, resulting in their proteasomal degradation. This indicates the importance of TRIM21 in cancer proliferation and/or apoptosis and suggests its potential as a novel cancer therapeutic target.

Automated summary

TRIM21 is involved in innate immunity, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and cancer proliferation. It is shown to affect major cancer-promoting proteins and signaling pathways in the presence of various carcinogenesis effectors. TRIM21 may enhance cancer proliferation or induce the degradation of cancer-triggering proteins, highlighting its potential as a novel cancer therapeutic target.