Ccnb1, also known as cyclin B1, is a crucial protein in the cell cycle. It is involved in regulating the G2/M transition, which is essential for cell division. Ccnb1 functions by forming a complex with cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and this complex phosphorylates various substrates to drive the cell into mitosis. It is thus important for normal cell proliferation and is implicated in multiple biological processes related to cell growth [1-4].

In various cancers, Ccnb1 has been found to play significant roles. In breast cancer, its overexpression is strongly associated with a low survival rate, suggesting it could be a potential anti-breast cancer drug target and prognostic marker [1]. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the MYC-targeted WDR4 promotes HCC progression by inducing CCNB1 translation, and CCNB1 may participate in the cell cycle of HCC by regulating DNA replication [2,5]. In ovarian carcinoma, Ccnb1 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and is negatively regulated by miR-559 [3]. In Wilms tumor, Ccnb1 silencing significantly inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasive capabilities, promoting apoptosis and causing G2 phase cell cycle arrest, indicating it is closely related to WT progression and prognosis [4].

In conclusion, Ccnb1 is essential for the normal regulation of the cell cycle, especially at the G2/M transition. Its dysregulation is closely associated with the development and progression of multiple cancers, making it a potential target for cancer therapy. Functional studies on Ccnb1, especially through loss-of-function experiments in various cancer models, have provided valuable insights into its role in cancer biology [1-4].

References:

1. Fang, Leiming, Liu, Qi, Cui, Hongtu, Zheng, Yunji, Wu, Chengjun. 2022. Bioinformatics Analysis Highlight Differentially Expressed CCNB1 and PLK1 Genes as Potential Anti-Breast Cancer Drug Targets and Prognostic Markers. In Genes, 13, . doi:10.3390/genes13040654. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35456460/

2. Xia, Peng, Zhang, Hao, Xu, Kequan, Zhang, Zhonglin, Yuan, Yufeng. 2021. MYC-targeted WDR4 promotes proliferation, metastasis, and sorafenib resistance by inducing CCNB1 translation in hepatocellular carcinoma. In Cell death & disease, 12, 691. doi:10.1038/s41419-021-03973-5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34244479/

3. Yang, Xiaowen, Zhou, Shilin, Yang, Chunyue, He, Meijun, Zi, Shuxia. 2022. CCNB1, Negatively Regulated by miR-559, Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells. In Molecular biotechnology, 64, 958-969. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00463-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35262876/

4. Xiang, Bin, Chen, Mei-Lin, Gao, Zhi-Qiang, Liu, Feng, Wei, Guang-Hui. 2023. CCNB1 is a novel prognostic biomarker and promotes proliferation, migration and invasion in Wilms tumor. In BMC medical genomics, 16, 189. doi:10.1186/s12920-023-01627-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37592341/

5. Rong, Min-Hua, Li, Jian-Di, Zhong, Lu-Yang, Huang, Su-Ning, Zhou, Xian-Guo. 2021. CCNB1 promotes the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by mediating DNA replication in the cell cycle. In Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 247, 395-408. doi:10.1177/15353702211049149. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34743578/