Smac/DIABLO and colon cancer

Apoptosis is a genetically programmed process of controlled and orderly cell suicide, which is critical for multicellular organisms during development and tissue homeostasis. In cancer, the ratio of apoptosis to cell division is altered, resulting in a net gain of malignant tissue. Tumor cells may acquire resistance to apoptosis by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, or by the down-regulation or mutation of pro-apoptotic mediators. In the classic pathway of apoptosis, this process is primarily coordinated by activation of caspases. Decreased expression of caspases inversely correlates with the aggressiveness of cancer. Increased activity of caspases renders cancer cells susceptible to chemoradiotherapeutic modalities. Thus, caspase activity is pivotal in carcinogenesis. The functions of activated caspases are inhibited by the binding of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs). The function of IAPs is regulated by pro-apoptotic protein Second Mitochondria-Derived Activator of Caspases (Smac) or Direct IAP Binding Protein with low isoelectric point, pI (DIABLO). Induction of apoptosis leads to increased mitochondrial permeability to Smac/DIABLO, which adheres to IAPs inhibiting their caspase-binding activity. The role of Smac/DIABLO, therefore, may have significant diagnostic and therapeutic features in carcinogenesis. The role of Smac/DIABLO in colorectal carcinogenesis is ill defined. Data continues to accumulate to suggest that decreased levels of Smac/DIABLO may be important in chemoradiation-resistance to apoptosis in advanced colon cancer. The aim of this review is to provide the available evidence of the role of Smac/DIABLO in colon carcinogenesis.