Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of ASPH's β-hydroxylase specifically/efficiently abrogated in vitro metastasis, which mimics basement membrane invasion at primary site, intravasation/extravasation (transendothelial migration), and colonization/outgrowth at distant sites.
ASPH appears to be involved in the regulation of proliferation, invasion and metastasis of PC cells through multiple signaling pathways, suggesting its role as a tumor biomarker and therapeutic target.
Aspartyl-(asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (AAH) is a type 2 transmembrane protein with catalytic activity that hydroxylates epidermal growth factor-like domains of proteins that have a functional role in cell motility and invasion.
The results suggest that enhanced AAH gene activity is a common feature of human HCC and growth factor signaling through IRS-1 regulates AAH expression and increases motility and invasion of HCC cells.