Carboxypeptidase M in apoptosis, adipogenesis and cancer

Clin Chim Acta. 2013 Jan 16:415:306-16. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2012.11.012. Epub 2012 Nov 21.

Abstract

This review covers carboxypeptidase M (CPM) research that appeared in the literature since 2009. The focus is on aspects that are new or interesting from a clinical perspective. Available research tools are discussed as well as their pitfalls and limitations. Evidence is provided to suggest the potential involvement of CPM in apoptosis, adipogenesis and cancer. This evidence derives from the expression pattern of CPM and its putative substrates in cells and tissues. In recent years CPM emerged as a potential cancer biomarker, in well differentiated liposarcoma where the CPM gene is co-amplified with the oncogene MDM2; and in lung adenocarcinoma where coexpression with EGFR correlates with poor prognosis. The available data call for extended investigation of the function of CPM in tumor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, stromal cells and tumor neovascularisation. Such experiments could be instrumental to validate CPM as a therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / blood supply*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / enzymology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Adipogenesis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Liposarcoma / blood supply*
  • Liposarcoma / diagnosis
  • Liposarcoma / enzymology*
  • Liposarcoma / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / genetics
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • MDM2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • carboxypeptidase M
  • Metalloendopeptidases