The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a glycoprotein anchored to the cell surface by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). PrPCis expressed both in the brain and in peripheral tissues. Investigations on PrPC’s functions revealed its direct involvement in neurodegenerative and prion diseases, as well as in various physiological processes such as anti-oxidative functions, copper homeostasis, trans-membrane signaling, and cell adhesion. Recent findings have revealed the ectopic expression of PrPCin various cancers including gastric, melanoma, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, as well as rare cancers, where PrPCpromotes cellular migration and invasion, tumor growth, and metastasis. Through its downstream signaling, PrPChas also been reported to be involved in resistance to chemotherapy and tumor cell apoptosis. This review summarizes the variance of expression of PrPCin different types of cancers and discusses its roles in their development and progression, as well as its use as a potential target to treat such cancers.
细胞朊蛋白（PrPC）是一种通过糖基磷脂酰肌醇（GPI）锚定于细胞表面的糖蛋白，在大脑和外周组织中均有表达。对PrPC功能的研究表明，其直接参与神经退行性疾病与朊病毒病的发生，并在抗氧化、铜稳态维持、跨膜信号传导及细胞黏附等多种生理过程中发挥作用。最新研究发现，PrPC在胃癌、黑色素瘤、乳腺癌、结直肠癌、胰腺癌及多种罕见癌症中呈现异位表达，并能促进细胞迁移与侵袭、肿瘤生长及转移过程。研究还报道，通过下游信号传导，PrPC参与调控肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的抵抗及凋亡过程。本文综述了PrPC在不同类型癌症中的表达差异，探讨了其在癌症发生发展中的作用，并展望其作为潜在治疗靶点的应用前景。
The Multifaceted Functions of Prion Protein (PrPC) in Cancer
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家