Tmem120b is a transmembrane protein-encoding gene. It has been implicated in multiple biological functions such as adipocyte differentiation, with its paralog Tmem120A, where knockdown of these proteins impacts genes required for adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation [3]. It may also be involved in ion transport as its homolog TMEM120A has ion-transport capabilities [2].

In cancer research, TMEM120B expression is elevated in lung, breast, gastric, colon, and ovarian cancers. In breast cancer, overexpression of TMEM120B promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness by activating the β1-integrin/FAK-TAZ-mTOR signaling axis through binding to MYH9, and also accelerates chemotherapy resistance. Conversely, overexpression of TMEM120B-∆CCD has the opposite effects [1].

In summary, Tmem120b plays important roles in adipocyte differentiation and in the context of cancer, especially breast cancer, where its function in promoting cancer cell stemness and chemotherapy resistance has been revealed through in-vitro and in-vivo-like mouse xenograft model studies. These findings contribute to our understanding of adipogenesis and cancer development, potentially guiding future research in these disease areas.