Journal Of Cellular Physiology 2006-08-01

Diadenosines as FHIT-ness instructors.

Manuela Campiglio, Francesca Bianchi, Francesca Andriani, Gabriella Sozzi, Elda Tagliabue, Sylvie Ménard, Luca Roz

Index: J. Cell Physiol. 208 , 274-281, (2006)

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Abstract

FHIT is a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently inactivated in human cancer. Although the Fhit protein is known to hydrolyze diadenosine triphosphate (Ap(3)A), this hydrolase activity is not required for Fhit-mediated oncosuppression. Indeed, the molecular mechanisms and the regulatory elements of Fhit oncosuppression are largely unknown. Here, we review physiological and pathological aspects of Fhit in the context of the Ap(n)A family of signaling molecules, as well as the involvement of Fhit in apoptosis and the cell cycle in cancer models. We also discuss recent findings of novel Fhit interactions that may lead to new hypotheses about biochemical mechanisms underlying the oncosuppressor activity of this gene.