The potential role of nucleophosmin (NPM1) in the development of cancer

Abstract

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is a well-known nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that performs several cellular functions such as ribosome biogenesis, chromatin remodeling, genomic stability, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. NPM1 has been identified to be necessary for normal cellular functions, and its altered regulation by overexpression, mutation, translocation, loss of function, or sporadic deletion can lead to cancer and tumorigenesis. In this review, we focus on the gene and protein structure of NPM1 and its physiological roles. Finally, we discuss the association of NPM1 with various types of cancer including solid tumors and leukemia.

NPM1 Is a Prognostic Biomarker Involved in Immune Infiltration of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Associated With m6A Modification and Glycolysis

“…In the present study, the NPM1 expression in tumors was predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and the expression of NPM1 in LUAD was verified by cell assay and immunohistochemical staining. Through the analysis of Oncomine database, we found NPM1 was overexpressed in 9 types of cancer, and analysis of the TCGA data set found that NPM1 was overexpressed in 13 types of cancer, which was consistent with the results of previous studies (4,36,37). Based on the analysis of GEO and TCGA LUAD data sets, the expression level of NPM1 in LUAD tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues.…”

“…NPM1 is a highly conserved protein commonly found in eukaryotic cells. It is mainly localized in the nucleus and can shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm to participate in nucleocytoplasmic signal transport (3,4). Studies have shown that the content of NPM1 in tumor cells and growing cells is significantly higher than that in quiescent cells (36,37).…”

“…However, current studies on the role of NPM1 in tumor mainly focus on its role in ribosome processing and assembly, centrosome replication and molecular chaperone (4,36,37). Other biological functions of NPM1 in LUAD are less studied.…”

“…Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) is a multifunctional protein that is mainly localized in nucleoli and shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm (3). In recent years, the focus of NPM1 research has gradually shifted from hematological diseases to solid tumors (4,5). Previous studies have demonstrated that NPM1 is overexpressed in several types of tumors and promotes the occurrence and progression of tumors (6)(7)(8).…”

NPM1 is a Novel Therapeutic Target and Prognostic Biomarker for Ewing Sarcoma

“…According to our analysis, NPM1 is not only highly expressed in patients with ES, but is also closely associated with poor patient prognosis and immune infiltration; therefore, the development of drugs targeting NPM1 is essential. NPM1, also known as nuclear phosphoprotein, consists of 294 amino acids and is an abundant and multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein that frequently shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm of cells and is involved in a variety of important biological activities (Karimi Dermani et al, 2021). Previous studies have shown that NPM1 plays an important role in cell growth and proliferation by regulating cell cycle progression and centrosome replication (Okuda, 2002).…”