Transcription factors are potential targets in disease therapy, particularly in cancer. This is due to the fact that
transcription factors regulate a variety of cellular events, and their modulation has opened a new window in
cancer therapy. Sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) proteins are
potential transcription factors that are involved in developmental processes such as embryogenesis. It has been
reported that abnormal expression of SOX proteins is associated with development of different cancers, particularly
ovarian cancer (OC). In the present review, our aim is to provide a mechanistic review of involvement of
SOX members in OC. SOX members may suppress and/or promote aggressiveness and proliferation of OC cells.
Clinical studies have also confirmed the potential of transcription factors as diagnostic and prognostic factors in
OC. Notably, studies have demonstrated the relationship between SOX members and other molecular pathways
such as ST6Ga1-I, PI3K, ERK and so on, leading to more complexity. Furthermore, SOX members can be affected
by upstream mediators such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and so on. It is worth mentioning that the
expression of each member of SOX proteins is corelated with different stages of OC. Furthermore, their
expression determines the response of OC cells to chemotherapy. These topics are discussed in this review to shed
some light on role of SOX transcription factors in OC.
کلید واژگان :
SOX Transcription factor Ovarian cancer Cancer therapy Chemotherapy MicroRNA
