Alcohol-associated cancer and deregulation of Pol III genes

Gene. 2017 May 15:612:25-28. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.09.046. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that alcohol intake is associated with human cancers in different organs. However, the molecular mechanism of alcohol-associated human cancers remains to be elucidated. Here, this paper aimed to clarify a novel mechanism of alcohol-promoted cell transformation and tumor development. Alcohol induces JNK1 activation and increases cellular levels of c-Jun to upregulate Brf1 expression and Pol III gene transcription, leading to an enhancement of rates of cell transformation and tumor formation.

Keywords: Alcohol; Breast cancer; Brf1; HCC; Pol III genes.

MeSH terms

  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • RNA Polymerase III / genetics*

Substances

  • Ethanol
  • RNA Polymerase III