Survivin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Survivin is a human gene product, which is mostly known for its function as an inhibitor of programmed cell death (apoptosis). It is present during normal fetal development, but in an adult only detectable in rapidly proliferating cells. It is frequently detected in cancer cells and is believed to keep cancers alive by preventing apoptosis from occurring. High expressions of Survivin in cancer cells often correlates with a low survival rate in patients.[1]
Survivin has also been found to be a member of the chromosomal passenger complex and it plays an essential role in the proper progression through mitosis. Therefore, inhibiting Survivin is not a viable treatment for cancers, given that it would also disrupt proliferation of normal healthy cells. However, recent studies have indicated that survivin requires nuclear export for its anti-apoptotic function but not for its mitotic function. Cancer treatment by inhibiting the transport of survivin out of the nucleus remains a topic of interest.[2]
[edit] References
[1] Ambrosini, G., Adida, C., Altieri, D.C. (1997) A novel anti-apoptosis gene, survivin, expressed in cancer and lymphoma. Abstract
[2] Colnaghi, R., Connell, C.M., Barrett, R.M.A., Wheatley, S.P. (2006) Separating the Anti-apoptotic and Mitotic Roles of Survivin. Abstract
