New Research Identifies FAM20C as a Critical Protein Kinase in Cancer Progression and Disease Mechanisms
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New Research Identifies FAM20C as a Critical Protein Kinase in Cancer Progression and Disease Mechanisms

23/02/2025 Compuscript Ltd
A new review published in Genes & Diseases explores the multifaceted role of FAM20C, a Golgi protein kinase, in disease progression. By highlighting FAM20C’s involvement in cancer growth, biomineralization, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders, these findings provide promising insights into new therapeutic strategies targeting FAM20C-related pathways.
FAM20C is known for its ability to phosphorylate secreted proteins, regulating critical biological processes. FAM20C is a significant driver of cancer progression, particularly in glioma and breast cancer, by enhancing tumor invasion and metastasis. Additionally, FAM20C’s role in modifying the tumor microenvironment may influence immune cell activation and contribute to cancer aggressiveness.
Beyond oncology, the article underscores FAM20C’s involvement in bone and dental health, linking it to diseases such as Raine syndrome and hypophosphatemic rickets. Furthermore, the authors connect FAM20C to cardiovascular health, demonstrating its influence on vascular calcification and calcium homeostasis in heart function.
The ability of FAM20C to regulate multiple physiological and pathological processes makes it a promising target for future therapeutic development.
The article also explores potential FAM20C inhibitors as new treatment avenues for aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma and triple-negative breast cancer. Experimental data suggest that small-molecule inhibitors targeting FAM20C could reduce tumor growth and metastasis.
Given its diverse biological roles, the identification of FAM20C as a central regulator of disease progression paves the way for innovative treatment strategies across multiple medical fields.

Reference
Rui Zhang, Yanming Ren, Yan Ju, Yuekang Zhang, Yan Zhang, Yuan Wang, FAM20C: A key protein kinase in multiple diseases, Genes & Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 2, 2025, 101179.
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101179
Journal Genes & Diseases

Genes & Diseases is a journal for molecular and translational medicine. The journal primarily focuses on publishing investigations on the molecular bases and experimental therapeutics of human diseases. Publication formats include full length research article, review article, short communication, correspondence, perspectives, commentary, views on news, and research watch.

Funding Information:
National Key Research and Development Program of China, Stem Cell and Translational Research (2022YFA1105200)
National Natural Science Foundation of China (82273117)
Sichuan Science and Technology Program (23ZYZYTS0150)
National Natural Science Foundation of China (82173179)
National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics (Z2021JC006)
National Natural Science Foundation of China (82302627)
Science and Technology Supportive Project of Sichuan Province (2022YFS0143)
Science and Technology Supportive Project of Sichuan Province (2022YFS0049)

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Genes & Diseases publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the molecular bases of human diseases. Emphasis is placed on hypothesis-driven, mechanistic studies relevant to pathogenesis and/or experimental therapeutics of human diseases. The journal has worldwide authorship, and a broad scope in basic and translational biomedical research of molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology, including but not limited to cell proliferation and apoptosis, signal transduction, stem cell biology, developmental biology, gene regulation and epigenetics, cancer biology, immunity and infection, neuroscience, disease-specific animal models, gene and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine.
Scopus CiteScore: 7.3
Impact Factor: 6.9

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All issues and articles in press are available online in ScienceDirect (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/genes-and-diseases ).
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Print ISSN: 2352-4820
eISSN: 2352-3042
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Rui Zhang, Yanming Ren, Yan Ju, Yuekang Zhang, Yan Zhang, Yuan Wang, FAM20C: A key protein kinase in multiple diseases, Genes & Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 2, 2025, 101179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101179
Attached files
  • Image Caption: The structures of human and mouse FAM20C. Human FAM20C consists of 584 amino acids (aa), with an N-terminal signal peptide (SP) composed of 22 aa, and a conserved C-terminal domain (CCD) composed of 350 aa. CCD contains a casein kinase (CK) domain ranging from residue 354 to 565. Mouse FAM20C consists of 579 aa, with an SP comprised of 26 aa and a CCD comprised of 350 aa. CCD also contains a CK domain ranging from residue 349 to 560. Furthermore, the structure of FAM20C contains a cleavage site, an integrin-bound tripeptide (arginine-glycine-aspartate, RGD), two Mn2+ binding sites, three N-glycosylation sites, and 11 cysteine residues. The stars represent eight cysteine residues that are conserved within different species.Image credit: The authorsImage link: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2352304223004622-gr1_lrg.jpg License type: CC BY-NC-ND
  • Image Caption: FAM20C and its substrates in multiple cancers. FAM20C has been identified to be directly or indirectly associated with eight types of cancers. If it has been reported in the literature that FAM20C can interact with a substrate to promote cancer progression, this substrate is the definite substrate. If there is no literature reporting that FAM20C can interact with a substrate to promote cancer progression, this substrate is the potential substrate. The definite substrates are marked in red and the potential substrates in blue.Image credit: The authorsImage link: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2352304223004622-gr2_lrg.jpg License type: CC BY-NC-ND
  • Image Caption: The roles of FAM20C in multiple cancers. FAM20C participates in multiple biological processes of eight types of cancers. It has been extensively studied in glioma and breast cancer (BRC), where its potential substrates have also been investigated in great detail.Image credit: The authorsImage link: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2352304223004622-gr3_lrg.jpg License type: CC BY-NC-ND
23/02/2025 Compuscript Ltd
Regions: Europe, Ireland, Asia, China
Keywords: Health, Medical

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