Actin-like protein 8 (ACTL8)

Actin-like protein 8 (ACTL8) is a cytoskeletal protein and member of the cancer/testis antigen family, encoded by the ACTL8 gene. It is normally highly expressed in the testis but aberrantly upregulated in various human cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. In malignancies, high ACTL8 expression promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle progression, angiogenesis, and tumor growth, while inhibiting apoptosis. Knockdown of ACTL8 by RNA interference impairs cancer progression in laboratory models. Mechanistically, ACTL8 influences cell cycle regulators such as FOXM1, STMN1, PLK1, and apoptosis inhibitor BIRC5, and activates oncogenic pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Clinically, ACTL8 overexpression serves as a poor prognostic biomarker and emerging immunotherapeutic target for multiple tumor types, with ongoing research exploring its utility in cancer diagnostics and therapy[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

Actin-like 8CT57Cancer/testis antigen 57ACTL8actin like protein 8

Inhibition by RNA interference (shRNA, siRNA) suppresses tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induces apoptosis\nRegulates cell cycle genes (e.g., FOXM1, STMN1, PLK1, BIRC5)\nModulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway