Figure 1
Multifaceted roles of HO-1 in cancer. HO-1 induction under various cellular stresses impacts tumorigenesis through multiple pathways. CO and biliverdin, the byproducts derived from heme degradation by HO-1 reaction, protect normal cells from transformation in the early phase of tumorigenesis, whereas promote the growth and survival of tumor cells in the late phase of cancer development. Nuclear translocation of HO-1 from ER can affect cancer progression independent of its enzymatic activity. Moreover, HO-1 expression in stromal compartments influences the establishment of cancer permissive microenvironment.