Advances in the role of membrane-bound transcription factors in carcinogenesis and therapy

Protein shuttling between the cytoplasm and nucleus is a unique phenomenon in eukaryotic organisms, integral to various cellular functions. Membrane-bound transcription factors (MTFs), a specialized class of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling proteins, are anchored to the cell membrane and enter the nucleus upon ligand binding to exert their transcriptional regulatory functions. MTFs are crucial in cellular signal transduction, and aberrant nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of MTFs is closely associated with tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to anticancer therapies. Studies have demonstrated that MTFs, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), beta-catenin, Notch, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), and insulin receptor (IR), play critical roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Targeted therapies developed against HERs and FGFRs, among these MTFs, have yielded significant success in cancer treatment. However, the development of drug resistance remains a major challenge. As research on MTFs progress, it is anticipated that additional MTF-targeted therapies will be developed to enhance cancer treatment. In this review, we summarized recent advancements in the study of MTFs and their roles in carcinogenesis and therapy, aiming to provide valuable insights into the potential of targeting MTF pathways for the reseach of therapeutic strategies.