Table 1

 Summary of known metastastic tumour genes

MSGChromosome locationFunctionMetastatic tumour
EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; ERK, extracellular signal regulated kinase; MAPK, mitogen activated protein kinase.
Nm2317q21.3Regulates cell growth, reduces invasion and motilityBreast and melanoma31
KAI1 (CD82)11p11.2Regulates adhesion, migration, growth, and differentiation. Influences signalling pathways such as EGFR and Rho GTPasesProstate,34 breast,35,36 melanoma,37 colon38
CD4411p11.2Influences cell adhesion; hypermethylation of DNA results in downregulationProstate,54 lung, breast, colon, melanoma56
MKK414Regulates signal transduction between p38 and ERK/JNK MAPKsProstate,58,59 ovary60
KISS-11Inhibition of chemotaxis and invasion; G protein coupled receptor ligandMelanoma, breast62,63
BrMS111Restores normal gap junction phenotypeMelanoma,64 bladder66
RhoGD1211p11.2Regulates RHO and RAC functionBladder,66 prostate, bladder, breast, colorectum, kidney, lung, liver70
PTEN/MMAC110q23Homologous to cytoskeletal protein tensin; involved in tumour cell invasion and metastasis through interactions of tensin with actin filaments at focal adhesionsBreast, lung, colorectal, kidney, thyroid, endometrial, germ cell,74 melanoma81