Diverse Roles of Prohibitin1 in Cancer Progression and Development

Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) is a mitochondrial chaperone protein that is evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed, and functions in the regulation of cell proliferation, metabolism, and mitochondrial homoeostasis. Biological roles of PHB1 include involvement in multiple other pathways related to their subcellular localization, including mitochondria, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and the nucleus. Alterations in PHB1 expression levels are associated with cancer, aging, neurodegeneration, and heart and kidney diseases. PHB1 has exhibited anti-proliferative activity in the liver and was considered a tumor suppressor in some cancers, including breast, gastric, and prostate cancer. However, PHB1 expression is often increased in many cancers and its role in oncogenesis is not clearly understood. Herein, we summarize the functional roles of PHB1 in cancer development and the therapeutic approaches for targeting PHB1.