Mesothelin

Mesothelin.tif

Mesothelin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSLN gene. It is a cell surface glycoprotein that is highly expressed in several types of cancer, including mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Mesothelin is involved in cell adhesion and may play a role in the spread of cancer cells.

Structure

Mesothelin is synthesized as a 69-kDa precursor protein that is cleaved to yield a 40-kDa fragment, which remains attached to the cell membrane, and a 31-kDa fragment, known as megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), which is secreted. The membrane-bound form of mesothelin is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein.

Function

The exact physiological function of mesothelin is not fully understood. However, it is believed to play a role in cell adhesion and may be involved in the interaction between tumor cells and the mesothelium. Mesothelin has been shown to bind to MUC16, also known as CA-125, which is a marker for ovarian cancer.

Clinical Significance

Mesothelin is overexpressed in several types of cancer, making it a potential target for cancer therapy. It is being investigated as a target for immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), and antibody-drug conjugates. Mesothelin is also being studied as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of certain cancers.

Research and Development

Several clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of mesothelin-targeted therapies. These include the use of amphiphilic peptides, vaccines, and small molecule inhibitors.

See Also

• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Immunotherapy
• Biomarker