Spats2, short for spermatogenesis associated serine rich 2, is a member of the RNA-binding protein family. It plays crucial roles in multiple biological processes, with its abnormal expression being linked to carcinogenesis. It is associated with pathways such as cell cycle, apoptosis, and cancer cell metastasis, which are vital in understanding normal cellular functions and disease development [1,2].

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), elevated Spats2 expression is unfavorably associated with clinical pathological stage and prognosis. Knockdown of Spats2 in HCC cell lines affects cell cycle, apoptosis, and invasion, indicating its oncogenic role [1]. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines, silencing Spats2 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion [3]. These loss-of-function experiments suggest Spats2 promotes cancer progression in these malignancies.

In conclusion, Spats2 is an important gene with oncogenic potential in cancers like HCC and ESCC. The study of Spats2 through loss-of-function models has provided insights into its role in cancer-related biological processes, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, as well as a therapeutic target in these disease areas [1,3].

References:

1. Lin, Jing, Yan, Jia, Deng, Xiu Ling, Wang, Chang Shan, Wang, Hai Sheng. 2023. SPATS2 is correlated with cell cycle progression and immune cells infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. In BMC gastroenterology, 23, 8. doi:10.1186/s12876-022-02633-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36631750/

2. Dong, Gang, Zhang, Shanshan, Shen, Shen, Rao, Benchen, Ren, Zhigang. 2020. SPATS2, negatively regulated by miR-145-5p, promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulating cell cycle. In Cell death & disease, 11, 837. doi:10.1038/s41419-020-03039-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33037180/

3. Liu, Yan-Peng, Cao, Qiuhong, Li, Ling, Zhang, Min. 2021. High expression of spermatogenesis associated serine rich 2 promotes tumorigenicity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells and is associated with poor patient prognosis. In Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 22, 698. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33986862/