PROM1-mediated cell signal transduction in cancer stem cells and hepatocytes

Prominin-1 (PROM1), also called CD133, is a penta-span transmembrane protein that is localized in membrane protrusions, such as microvilli and filopodia. It is known to be expressed in cancer stem cells and various progenitor cells of bone marrow, liver, kidney, and intestine. Accumulating evidence has revealed that PROM1 has multiple functions in various organs, such as eye, tooth, peripheral nerve, and liver, associating with various molecular protein partners. PROM1 regulates PKA-induced gluconeogenesis, TGFβ-induced fibrosis, and IL-6-induced regeneration in the liver, associating with Radixin, SMAD7, and GP130, respectively. In addition, PROM1 is necessary to maintain cancer stem cell properties by activating PI3K and β-Catenin. PROM1-deficienct mice also show distinct phenotypes in eyes, brain, peripheral nerves, and tooth. Here, we discuss recent findings of PROM1-mediated signal transduction.