autocrine motility factor


autocrine motility factor

A multifunctional cytokine protein capable of affecting cell migration, invasion, proliferation and survival, which possesses phosphoglucose isomerase activity and can catalyse glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. AMF is secreted by tumours and is abundant in sites of malignany, where it may affect tumour growth and metastasis. Both activities are inhibited by pertussis toxin, implying that AMF acts by a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein pathway); a 78-kD glycoprotein acts as an AMF receptor on melanomas and may have a role in melanocyte locomotion.

autocrine motility factor

A chemical released by cancer cells that induces motility, enabling the cells to metastasize.See also: factor