MTDH/LYRIC/AEG1 [2F11C3]

Metastasis adhesion protein, also known as MTDH, LYsine-RIch CEACAM1 co-isolated (LYRIC), is a novel protein that localizes with the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin in polarized epithelial cells. Downregulates SLC1A2/EAAT2 promoter activity when expressed ectopically. Activates the nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor. Promotes anchorage-independent growth of immortalized melanocytes and astrocytes which is a key component in tumor cell expansion. Widely expressed with highest levels in muscle-dominating organs such as skeletal muscle, heart, tongue and small intestine and in endocrine glands such as thyroid and adrenal gland. Overexpressed in various cancers including breast, brain, prostate, melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme. Promotes lung metastasis and also has an effect on bone and brain metastasis, possibly by enhancing the seeding of tumor cells to the target organ endothelium. Blocking this lung-homing domain with antibodies or inhibiting MTDH with siRNA has been reported to inhibit breast cancer metastasis.