OVO-like Proteins in Cancer, Immunity, and Inflammation.
- 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
- 2Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Receptor-Targeted Drug Basic Research, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
- 3Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
Abstract
The OVO-like (OVOL) proteins OVOL1-3 are evolutionarily conserved C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factors. Initially identified in Drosophila as regulators of germline development, these proteins have since been found to be key determinants of epithelial lineage and differentiation in mammals. Increasing evidence implicates OVOL proteins in human disease, particularly cancer, where they participate in diverse processes including metastasis, metabolic regulation, immunity, and inflammation modulation. In this review, current advances in OVOL-related research are summarized. First, the roles of OVOL proteins in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer metastasis, and cellular plasticity are addressed. The discussion then extends to emerging evidence for their involvement in metabolic reprogramming, immunity, and inflammation. Finally, open questions and future research directions are discussed.
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BibTeX
@article{huang2026ovolike,
title = {{OVO-like Proteins in Cancer, Immunity, and Inflammation.}},
author = {Shuxian Huang and Genjian Hu and Hao Lan and Jinfeng Gan},
journal = {Cells},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/cells15191755},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42882453},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - OVO-like Proteins in Cancer, Immunity, and Inflammation.
AU - Shuxian Huang
AU - Genjian Hu
AU - Hao Lan
AU - Jinfeng Gan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/26
JO - Cells
DO - 10.3390/cells15191755
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42882453
AB - The OVO-like (OVOL) proteins OVOL1-3 are evolutionarily conserved C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factors. Initially identified in Drosophila as regulators of germline development, these proteins have since been found to be key determinants of epithelial lineage and differentiation in mammals. Increasing evidence implicates OVOL proteins in human disease, particularly cancer, where they participate in diverse processes including metastasis, metabolic regulation, immunity, and inflammation modulation. In this review, current advances in OVOL-related research are summarized. First, the roles of OVOL proteins in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer metastasis, and cellular plasticity are addressed. The discussion then extends to emerging evidence for their involvement in metabolic reprogramming, immunity, and inflammation. Finally, open questions and future research directions are discussed.
SN - 2073-4409
ER -