Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review

JNKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) belong to mitogen-activated protein kinases’ family and become activated by several growth factors, stress, radiation, and other extracellular signals. In turn, JNK activation results in phosphorylation of downstream molecules involved in many normal cellular processe...

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Main Authors: Ioannis Gkouveris, Nikolaos G Nikitakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-06-01
Series:Tumor Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317711659
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author Ioannis Gkouveris
Nikolaos G Nikitakis
author_facet Ioannis Gkouveris
Nikolaos G Nikitakis
author_sort Ioannis Gkouveris
collection DOAJ
description JNKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) belong to mitogen-activated protein kinases’ family and become activated by several growth factors, stress, radiation, and other extracellular signals. In turn, JNK activation results in phosphorylation of downstream molecules involved in many normal cellular processes. Nevertheless, recent data have linked JNK signaling with several pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer. The role of JNK in cancer remains controversial. Initially, JNK was thought to play a rather oncosuppressive role by mediating apoptosis in response to stress stimuli, inflammatory, or oncogenic signals. However, a number of studies have implicated JNK in malignant transformation and tumor growth. The contradictory functions of JNK in cancer may be due to the diversity of JNK upstream and downstream signaling and are under intensive investigation. This review summarizes current literature focusing on the significance of JNK pathway in cancer development and progression, particularly addressing its role in oral cancer. Understanding the complexity of JNK signaling has the potential to elucidate important molecular aspects of oral cancer, possibly leading to development of novel and individualized therapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-d24958edaf624c288a150652a42dd2f22025-08-20T03:19:52ZengSAGE PublishingTumor Biology1423-03802017-06-013910.1177/1010428317711659Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini reviewIoannis Gkouveris0Nikolaos G Nikitakis1Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USADepartment of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GreeceJNKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) belong to mitogen-activated protein kinases’ family and become activated by several growth factors, stress, radiation, and other extracellular signals. In turn, JNK activation results in phosphorylation of downstream molecules involved in many normal cellular processes. Nevertheless, recent data have linked JNK signaling with several pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer. The role of JNK in cancer remains controversial. Initially, JNK was thought to play a rather oncosuppressive role by mediating apoptosis in response to stress stimuli, inflammatory, or oncogenic signals. However, a number of studies have implicated JNK in malignant transformation and tumor growth. The contradictory functions of JNK in cancer may be due to the diversity of JNK upstream and downstream signaling and are under intensive investigation. This review summarizes current literature focusing on the significance of JNK pathway in cancer development and progression, particularly addressing its role in oral cancer. Understanding the complexity of JNK signaling has the potential to elucidate important molecular aspects of oral cancer, possibly leading to development of novel and individualized therapeutic strategies.https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317711659
spellingShingle Ioannis Gkouveris
Nikolaos G Nikitakis
Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
Tumor Biology
title Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
title_full Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
title_fullStr Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
title_full_unstemmed Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
title_short Role of JNK signaling in oral cancer: A mini review
title_sort role of jnk signaling in oral cancer a mini review
url https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317711659
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