Coiled-coil domain-containing protein 178 (CCDC178)

Coiled-coil domain-containing protein 178 (CCDC178) is a protein encoded by the CCDC178 gene (NCBI Gene ID: 374864) and is located in the ciliary basal body[4]. It is implicated in maintaining the integrity and mechanosensory function of endothelial primary cilia, particularly in the context of breast tumor vasculature[1]. CCDC178 has emerged as an oncogenesis-associated molecule: in hepatocellular carcinoma, its expression is upregulated in tumors, correlating with advanced cancer stages. Mechanistic studies indicate CCDC178 promotes cancer cell survival, anchorage-independent growth, resistance to anoikis, and thus metastasis, partly by interacting with and promoting the degradation of BRAP2, a negative regulator of ERK signaling. This, in turn, enables persistent ERK signaling, facilitating tumor dissemination[2]. CCDC178 mutations and abnormal expression are also documented in gastric cancer and have been incorporated into prognostic bioinformatic signatures. Its expression profile has further been implicated in inflammatory diseases such as pulpitis, suggesting broader pathological relevance[2]. No drugs directly target CCDC178, but it is being considered a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker due to its role in oncogenesis.

Other names

C18orf34FLJ44050CC178_HUMAN

No mechanism is defined for drugs targeting CCDC178 itself, as no such specific drugs are reported. For related family members (CCDC167) and generic cytotoxics, the mechanism is cytotoxicity and proliferation inhibition.