Publications by authors named "Marilyne Kpetemey"

Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is an important regulator of cell migration and invasion. MIEN1 overexpression represents an oncogenic event that promotes tumor cell dissemination and metastasis. The underlying mechanism by which MIEN1 regulates migration and invasion has yet to be deciphered.

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Background: Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a novel gene found to be abundantly expressed in breast tumor tissues and functions as a critical regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion to promote systemic metastases. Previous studies have identified post-translational modifications by isoprenylation at the C-terminal tail of MIEN1 to favor its translocation to the inner leaflet of plasma membrane and its function as a membrane-bound adapter molecule. However, the exact molecular events at the membrane interface activating the MIEN1-driven tumor cell motility are vaguely understood.

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Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor with the potential to invade local and distant sites and promote lymph node metastasis. Major players underlying the molecular mechanisms behind tumor progression are yet to be fully explored. Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1), a novel protein overexpressed in various cancers, facilitates cell migration and invasion.

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There are striking disparities in health status, access to health care, and risk factors among racial and ethnic minorities and the general population in Texas. The disparities are multifactorial comprising genetic, sociocultural, and environmental variables. The Texas Center for Health Disparities (TCHD), a NIMHD Center of Excellence (COE), aims to prevent, reduce, and eliminate health disparities in the communities through research, education, and community-based programs.

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Post-translational modification by covalent attachment of isoprenoid lipids (prenylation) regulates the functions and biological activities of several proteins implicated in the oncogenic transformation and metastatic progression of cancer. The largest group of prenylated proteins contains a CAAX motif at the C-terminal that serves as a substrate for a series of post-translational modifications that convert these otherwise hydrophilic proteins to lipidated proteins, thus facilitating membrane association. C17orf37 (chromosome 17 open reading frame 37), also known as C35/Rdx12/MGC14832, located in the 17q12 amplicon, is overexpressed in human cancer, and its expression correlates with the migratory and invasive phenotype of cancer cells.

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