The Role of Cytoglobin in Cancer

Abstract

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a new member of the globin protein family, after the discovery of other globin proteins such as hemoglobin (Hb), myoglobin (Mb), and neuroglobin (Ngb). Cygb is expressed throughout mammalian tissue and present in cells. Since its discovery, many studies have been conducted to understand the functional role of Cygb but so far remains Cygb has been shown to play many respiratory roles of normal cells including oxygen storage, destruction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), terminal oxidase activity, and antifibrotic activity. Recent research reports of Cygb having several implications for cancer. In most type of cancer cells, Cygb expression is regulated by hypermethylation, indicating epigenetic control. In cancer cells, Cygb downregulation occurs which indicates a possible role as a tumor suppressor gene. In some malignancies the opposite occurs, Cygb upregulation arises likely associated with the presence of resistance to hypoxia.