Dctn2, also known as Dynactin subunit 2 or dynamitin, is a component of the dynactin complex which activates cytoplasmic dynein and drives intracellular organelle transport along microtubules [4,5,6]. The dynactin-dynein complex is involved in multiple cellular processes such as microtubule-directed movement of molecular and organelle cargoes, centrosome biology, cellular movement, and mitosis [4]. Dysfunction of this complex has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases [6].

In cancer research, Dctn2 has emerged as a significant factor. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), high Dctn2 expression is linked to poor prognosis. Silencing Dctn2 in HCC cells suppresses cell proliferation, metastasis, and promotes apoptosis, and it exerts these effects by modulating the AKT signalling pathway [1,5]. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, increased Dctn2 expression in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells reduces transplantation efficiency, and knocking down Dctn2 can restore cell proliferation and improve transplant efficiency [2]. In colon cancer cells, binding between ROCK1 and Dctn2 triggered by high glucose, insulin, and palmitic acid leads to diabetes-associated centrosome amplification, and disruption of this protein complex can attenuate centrosome amplification [3].

In conclusion, Dctn2 plays crucial roles in multiple biological processes and diseases. In cancer, it acts as a tumour-promoting factor, especially in HCC by modulating the AKT pathway. In diabetes-related research, it affects stem cell transplantation efficiency and centrosome amplification in cancer cells. Understanding Dctn2 through functional studies, especially loss-of-function experiments, provides insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

References:

1. Xu, Shuning, Xing, Jiyuan, Li, Ke, Ren, Yulin, Liu, Ying. . Pan-cancer analysis of DCTN2 and its tumour-promoting role in HCC by modulating the AKT pathway. In Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 28, e18450. doi:10.1111/jcmm.18450. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38842133/

2. Horiguchi, Michiko, Tsurudome, Yuya, Ushijima, Kentaro. 2022. AMFR and DCTN2 genes cause transplantation resistance of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in type 1 diabetes mellitus. In Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 1005293. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1005293. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36267277/

3. Li, Yuan Fei, Shi, Lin Jie, Wang, Pu, Shi, Guang Yi, Lee, Shao Chin. 2021. Binding between ROCK1 and DCTN2 triggers diabetes‑associated centrosome amplification in colon cancer cells. In Oncology reports, 46, . doi:10.3892/or.2021.8102. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34080666/

4. Bransfield, Kieran L, Askham, Jon M, Leek, Jack P, Robinson, Philip A, Mighell, Alan J. . Phenotypic changes associated with DYNACTIN-2 (DCTN2) over expression characterise SJSA-1 osteosarcoma cells. In Molecular carcinogenesis, 45, 157-63. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16369996/

5. Li, Wenchao, Chen, Jiehuan, Xiong, Zhiyong, Zhou, Taicheng, Hu, Kunpeng. 2022. Dynactin 2 acts as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma through promoting cell cycle progression. In Liver research (Beijing, China), 6, 155-166. doi:10.1016/j.livres.2022.07.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39958200/

6. Shen, Chang, Honda, Hiroyuki, Suzuki, Satoshi O, Fujii, Naoki, Iwaki, Toru. 2018. Dynactin is involved in Lewy body pathology. In Neuropathology : official journal of the Japanese Society of Neuropathology, 38, 583-590. doi:10.1111/neup.12512. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30215870/