Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1)

Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a small, 13-kDa signaling protein with a thioredoxin-like fold and a redox-active CXXC motif, predominantly localized to the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane through C-terminal prenylation[1][3][4]. MIEN1 acts as an oncogenic protein by promoting tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis through regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and transcriptional upregulation of NF-κB target genes involved in cell motility and angiogenesis, such as MMP9 and VEGF[1][3]. MIEN1 enhances actin cytoskeleton dynamics as a signaling adaptor, facilitating actin polymerization and stabilizing F-actin through interaction with pathways including cofilin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)[2]. Overexpression of MIEN1 correlates with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis in breast and prostate cancers, and it is considered a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for these malignancies[3]. Its unique structure and cancer-specific function make it a potential but still exploratory target for anti-metastatic cancer therapies[1][3][4].

Other names

C17orf37RDX12XTP4MGC14832ORB3C35HBV X-transactivated gene 4 proteinHBV XAg-transactivated protein 4protein C17orf37protein C35

No drugs directly targeting MIEN1 are established; theoretically, inhibition would interfere with AKT phosphorylation, redox regulation, and actin polymerization, leading to reduced tumor cell migration and invasion