Research progress of Nme gene family and its application in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

The Nme (neoplasm metastasis) gene family was previously known as the nm23 (non-metastatic 23) gene family. The nm23 gene was the earliest tumor metastasis suppressor gene discovered by Steeg in 1988. All products of the 10 members (Nme1-Nme10) discovered so far of the gene family have a nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) active structure. Proteins encoded by the Nme gene family participate in processes including cellular differentiation, development, metabolism and signal transduction,and play an important role in the development of carcinoma. The Nme1 and Nme2 have been subjects of most relevant studies which show that the Nme1 isclosely associated with cellular differentiation and metastasis suppressor function in tumor. This paper provides an overview of studies in recent years on the Nme(nm23) gene family in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Keywords

• Nme
• nm23
• NDPK
• Tumor metastasis suppressor
• Oral squamous cell carcinoma