激活蛋白AP-2是一种序列特异性的转录因子,由AP-2α,AP-2β,AP-2γ,AP-2δ和AP-2ε等几个关系密切、结构保守的成员组成,参与细胞增殖分化、凋亡和癌变的调控。在多种不同类型肿瘤的发生、发展过程中,AP-2都存在异常表达,且与肿瘤预后有着密切的关系。同时,AP-2对肿瘤的调节具有抑癌或促癌的双向效应,这一作用因肿瘤的原发组织不同而不同。
Activator protein AP-2 is a class of sequence specific transcription factors; the family has several members: AP-2α,AP-2β,AP-2γ,AP-2δandAP-2ε and so on. All members havehighly conserved structures.AP-2 not only participates in cell proliferation~differentiation and apoptosis, but also participates in the control of cancer. Abnormal expression of AP-2 family members has been observed in the occurrence and development of different types of cancer, and they have a close relationship with cancer prognosis. The effects of AP-2 on tumors is complex sometimes acting as cancer-suppressor, sometimes as cancer-promoter. The effect seems to correlate with the different primary organization of the tumor.