Structural and Functional Properties of Activator Protein-1 in Cancer and Inflammation

Abstract

The transcriptional machinery is composed of numerous factors that help to regulate gene expression in cells. The function and the fundamental role of transcription factors in different human diseases and cancer have been extensively researched. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) is an inducible transcription factor that consists of a diverse group of members including Jun, Fos, Maf, and ATF. AP-1 involves a number of processes such as proliferation, migration, and survival in cells. Dysfunctional AP-1 activity is seen in several diseases, especially cancer and inflammatory disorders. The AP-1 proteins are controlled by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the NF-κB pathway. AP-1 inhibitors can be actively pursued as drug discovery targets in cancer therapy when used as a treatment to halt tumor progression. The consumption of phytochemicals in the diet is related to decreasing the incidence of cancer and proves to exhibit anticancer properties. Natural product targets AP-1 are effective cancer prevention and treatment options for various cancer types. Targeting AP-1 with natural products is an effective cancer treatment option for different cancer types. This review summarizes AP-1 subunit proteins, their structures, AP-1-related signaling, and its modulation by natural bioactive compounds.

c‐JUN‐induced upregulation of LINC00174 contributes to colorectal cancer proliferation and invasion through accelerating USP21 expression

“…c‐Jun is one of the members of Activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) protein complex, which is a dimeric leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor. A plethora of research has validated that AP‐1 members exerted an essential effect on human cancer progression (Bhosale et al, 2022; Cao et al, 2019; Jia et al, 2022). For example, Jia et al (2022) validated that c‐Jun and c‐Fos proteins form AP1 heterodimers, which substantially contributed to lymph node metastasis by mediating fatty acid accumulation in gastric cancer cells.…”

N6-methyladenosine methylation analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in 5-FU-resistant colon cancer cells

“…We selected representative target genes with differential expression from the MAPK signalling pathway ( FOS , DUSP1 , MEF2C ) and reviewed their roles in drug resistance. The target gene FOS is a constituent transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1), which is involved in cell proliferation, migration, survival, and chemoresistance [ 51 ]. Overexpression of FOS induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC cells and promotes its malignant progression.…”

Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Carrying Aphrocallistes vastus Lectin (oncoVV-AVL) Enhances Inflammatory Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

“…JunB, JunD), and ATF activated transcription factor (ATF2, LRF1/ATF3, DP1, JDP2) protein family [37]. Thought to be a transcriptionally active complex, AP-1 is primarily formed by Jun and Fos as a heterodimer, or by Jun alone to form a homodimer [38]. AP-1 activity is regulated by the MAPK pathway, as the phosphorylated MAPK/ERK binds with the promoter of c-Jun or c-Fos and rapidly induces their expression.…”