MTSS1 (Metastasis Suppressor 1), also known as Missing in Metastasis (MIM), is a cytoskeletal regulatory protein implicated in membrane dynamics, cell motility, and metastasis suppression. Initially identified as a gene downregulated in metastatic bladder cancer, MTSS1 is characterized by an N-terminal IRSp53/MIM homology domain (IMD) that binds to actin and regulates membrane curvature, and a C-terminal WH2 domain for actin polymerization. It interacts with Rho GTPases and other signaling molecules to modulate cytoskeletal reorganization, influencing processes such as cell migration, endocytosis, and vesicle trafficking.
MTSS1 exhibits dual roles in cancer progression. While it acts as a metastasis suppressor in certain cancers (e.g., prostate, breast) by inhibiting invasive cell behavior, it paradoxically promotes metastasis in others (e.g., melanoma) depending on cellular context and post-translational modifications. Reduced MTSS1 expression is often linked to poor prognosis and aggressive tumor phenotypes.
Antibodies targeting MTSS1 are widely used in research to detect its expression and localization via techniques like Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. These tools help elucidate MTSS1's functional mechanisms in cancer biology, developmental processes, and diseases involving cytoskeletal dysregulation. Recent studies also explore its role in non-cancer pathways, including Sonic Hedgehog signaling and neuronal development, highlighting its broad regulatory potential.