Cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 1 (CARP-1) (CARP-1)

Cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 1 (CARP-1), encoded by the CCAR1 gene, is a peri-nuclear phosphoprotein that functions as a pivotal regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis (UniProt Q8IX12). It serves as a transcriptional coactivator for several nuclear receptors and transcription factors, including the estrogen receptor-alpha and p53, facilitating the expression of genes that govern the cell cycle (NCBI Gene ID: 55749). CARP-1 is frequently downregulated in various malignancies, such as breast, colon, and lung cancers, where its loss contributes to tumor progression and resistance to apoptosis (PubMed: 25613355). As a therapeutic target, CARP-1 is modulated by a class of small molecules called CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFMs), such as CFM-4 and CFM-4.16, which bind to the protein and induce apoptosis in cancer cells (PubMed: 21858226). These interactions promote the activation of pro-apoptotic signaling pathways, making CARP-1 a significant focus for the development of targeted therapies against chemotherapy-resistant tumors (PubMed: 26967383).

Other names

CCAR1Cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory protein 1CARP1

Small molecule inhibitors known as CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFMs) bind to CARP-1, inducing its interaction with pro-apoptotic signaling components and leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells (PubMed: 21858226).