Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Ali Hmedat
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Simon Müller
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Robin Rolnik
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Alexander Rausch
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Marcell Lederer
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
Stefan Hüttelmaier
Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt–Mothes–Str. 3A, 06120 Halle, Germany
The RNA–binding protein Musashi–1 (MSI1) promotes stemness during development and cancer. By controlling target mRNA turnover and translation, MSI1 is implicated in the regulation of cancer hallmarks such as cell cycle or Notch signaling. Thereby, the protein enhanced cancer growth and therapy resistance to standard regimes. Due to its specific expression pattern and diverse functions, MSI1 represents an interesting target for cancer therapy in the future. In this review we summarize previous findings on MSI1′s implications in developmental processes of other organisms. We revisit MSI1′s expression in a set of solid cancers, describe mechanistic details and implications in MSI1 associated cancer hallmark pathways and highlight current research in drug development identifying the first MSI1–directed inhibitors with anti–tumor activity.
