Title:An Overview of Targeting Legumain for Inhibiting Cancers
Volume: 27
Issue: 31
Author(s): Bandi D. Reddy, Narasimha M. Beeraka, CH. M. Kumari Chitturi and SubbaRao V. Madhunapantula*
Affiliation:
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, (A DST-FIST Sponsored Department), JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore - 570 015, Karnataka,India
Keywords:
Legumain, cancers, TAMs, metastasis, targeted therapies, DNA vaccines, miRNAs.
Abstract: Legumain (LGMN; EC: 3.4.22.34), an asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) or asparaginyl carboxypeptidase
(ACP), is a member of the C13 family of cysteine proteases. Elevated expression of LGMN is reported
not only in the tumor cells of breast, prostate, and liver but also in the macrophages of the tumor microenvironment.
Hence, LGMN is considered as a key protein involved in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis,
invasion, and metastasis. Targeting LGMN using siRNA or pharmacological agents and peptides was reported
to reduce cancer cell proliferation in vitro and shrink tumor size in vivo. Moreover, expression of LGMN is significantly
low in normal cells compared to tumor cells or tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs); hence, legumain
can be used as a marker for tumor recognition and targeting. Therefore, approaches inhibiting LGMN expression
or activity are more viable, less toxic, and help in developing the targeted therapeutics. However, to
date, LGMN targeting strategies have not been well reported. In this review, an attempt was made to summarize
articles pertaining to LGMN (a) structure and activity; (b) oncogenic nature; (c) pharmacological inhibitors; and
(d) targeting approaches that inhibit tumor growth. Furthermore, a list of existing gaps in LGMN research is
highlighted, which needs additional studies.
