Zyx, also known as Zyxin, is a LIM domain protein. It can translocate between the cytoplasm and nucleus, participating in the regulation of various cellular processes, such as the organization and function of the cytoskeleton, apoptosis, and wound healing. Its presence in focal adhesions (FAs) indicates its significance in cytoskeletal-related functions [5].

In C. elegans, the zyx-1 deletion allele (a form of gene knockout) shows that ZYX-1/Zyxin has no overt developmental phenotypes, but oocyte transit through the spermatheca is slower, suggesting it may regulate spermathecal contraction magnitude or timing [1]. In human glioblastoma multiforme, increased ZYX expression from in vitro and in vivo experiments is related to tumor progression and poor prognosis, and the ZYX-STMN1 axis might be a potential therapeutic target [2]. In gastric cancer cells, ZYX promotes invasion and metastasis via the WNK1/SNAI1axis [3]. In the C. elegans embryo, ZYX-1 is recruited to apical junctions during embryonic elongation when junctions are under tension, and its loss causes junctional F-actin defects [4].

In conclusion, Zyx plays important roles in multiple biological processes and disease conditions. Studies using gene knockout models in C. elegans and in vivo studies in human cancer models have revealed its functions in oocyte transit, tumor invasion, and embryonic morphogenesis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer and its significance in understanding developmental biology.

References:

1. Castaneda, Perla G, Wu, Nan, Qiu, Zhongqiang, Lee, Myeongwoo, Cram, Erin J. 2021. ZYX-1/Zyxin plays a minor role in oocyte transit through the spermatheca in C. elegans. In microPublication biology, 2021, . doi:10.17912/micropub.biology.000489. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34703987/

2. Wen, Xian-Mei, Luo, Tao, Jiang, Yi, Wang, Yan, Bian, Xiu-Wu. 2020. Zyxin (ZYX) promotes invasion and acts as a biomarker for aggressive phenotypes of human glioblastoma multiforme. In Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology, 100, 812-823. doi:10.1038/s41374-019-0368-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31949244/

3. Jiang, Yi, Xiang, Dongfang, Wen, Xianmei, Cui, Youhong, Wang, Yan. 2023. ZYX promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells via WNK1/SNAI1axis. In Genes & diseases, 11, 564-567. doi:10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37692528/

4. Lynch, Allison M, Zhu, Yuyun, Lucas, Bethany G, Gardel, Margaret L, Hardin, Jeff. 2022. TES-1/Tes and ZYX-1/Zyxin protect junctional actin networks under tension during epidermal morphogenesis in the C. elegans embryo. In Current biology : CB, 32, 5189-5199.e6. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2022.10.045. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36384139/

5. Partynska, Aleksandra, Gomulkiewicz, Agnieszka, Dziegiel, Piotr, Podhorska-Okolow, Marzenna. . The Role of Zyxin in Carcinogenesis. In Anticancer research, 40, 5981-5988. doi:10.21873/anticanres.14618. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33109535/