Raf激酶抑制蛋白(Rafkinase inhibitory protein,RKIP)属于磷脂酰乙醇胺结合蛋白(phosphatidy-lethanolamine binding protein,PEBP)家族,参与多种生理过程,可以交叉调控MAPK(mitogen—activated protein kinase)通路、GPCR(G-protein—coupledreceptor)通路和NF-κB(nuclearfactor-κB)信号通路。细胞信号转导通路的异常会促进肿瘤的发生与发展。RKIP在肿瘤发生、发展中发挥着重要作用,影响肿瘤细胞的转移和治疗,是一种新的肿瘤诊断标志物。开展RKIP的结构生物学研究有助于理解RKIP发挥生理功能的结构基础,对揭示人类重大疾病(肿瘤)的分子机制以及研发用于细胞信号转导异常相关疾病的药物,都有着极其重要的科学意义。主要阐述了RKIP的结构特点、生物学功能及其与肿瘤疾病的关系。
Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a member of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) superfamily, which plays vital roles in many physiological processes and regulates MAPK, GPCR and NF-κB signaling pathways. Abnormal signaling pathways will promote tumorigenesis and development. It has been reported that RKIP modulates tumors at several stages including tumorigenesis, development, metastasis and therapeutic response. By now RKIP has been considered as a new biomarker for cancer diagnosis. Therefore, it is highly significant to study the structure and function of RKIP, which helps us understand the structural basis and the molecular mechanism of RKIP-modulated signal pathways, and facilitate the drug development against diseases caused by abnormal signal transduction. This article reviewed the structural characteristics, biological functions of RKIP and its relationship with tumor.