Golgi phosphoprotein 2 (GOLPH2) (GOLPH2)

Golgi phosphoprotein 2 (GOLPH2), also known as GOLM1 or GP73, is a type II transmembrane protein primarily localized to the Golgi apparatus (Mao et al., 2010). While its exact physiological function involves protein trafficking and processing, it is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other liver diseases, making it a valuable diagnostic biomarker (Riener et al., 2009). In the context of gene therapy, the GOLPH2 promoter is utilized to create tumor-specific oncolytic adenoviruses. By placing the essential viral replication gene E1A under the control of the GOLPH2 promoter, viral replication and subsequent oncolysis are selectively triggered in GOLPH2-high cancer cells (Sun et al., 2011). This strategy aims to increase the therapeutic index of adenoviral treatments by reducing off-target effects in healthy hepatocytes where GOLPH2 expression is minimal (Gu et al., 2012). The serum form of GOLPH2 is also used clinically to monitor disease progression and response to therapy in patients with chronic liver disease and HCC (Witjes et al., 2013).

Other names

Golgi membrane protein 1GOLM1GP73Golgi protein 73P73

The GOLPH2 promoter is used to drive the expression of the adenoviral E1A gene, which is essential for viral replication. This restricts adenoviral activity and subsequent cell lysis specifically to GOLPH2-overexpressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells, sparing healthy tissue.