Glypican 3
Glypican-3[edit | edit source]
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a member of the glypican family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are attached to the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Glypicans are involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and GPC3, in particular, has been implicated in various biological processes and diseases.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Glypican-3 is composed of a core protein to which heparan sulfate chains are attached. The protein is anchored to the cell membrane by a GPI anchor. The schematic representation of the glypican-3 protein shows its modular structure, including the N-terminal and C-terminal domains, which are important for its function.
Function[edit | edit source]
GPC3 plays a crucial role in modulating the activity of growth factors such as Wnt, Hedgehog, and FGF. It acts as a co-receptor, facilitating the interaction of these growth factors with their respective receptors on the cell surface. This modulation is essential for normal embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Role in Cancer[edit | edit source]
Glypican-3 is overexpressed in several types of cancer, most notably hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is considered a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC. The expression of GPC3 in tumors can be targeted for therapeutic purposes, including the development of GPC3-specific antibodies and CAR T-cell therapies.
Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome[edit | edit source]
Mutations in the GPC3 gene are associated with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by pre- and postnatal overgrowth, facial dysmorphism, and an increased risk of developing embryonal tumors. This syndrome highlights the importance of GPC3 in growth regulation.
Research Directions[edit | edit source]
Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise molecular mechanisms by which GPC3 regulates growth factor signaling. Additionally, there is significant interest in developing GPC3-targeted therapies for cancer treatment, as well as exploring its role in other diseases.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Heparan sulfate proteoglycan
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome
- Wnt signaling pathway
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
