BACH1, the master regulator gene: A novel candidate target for cancer therapy

• BACH1 is a CNC-bZIP transcription factor.
• BACH1 controls the gene transcription through forming a heterodimer with small Maf family.
• BACH1 is a heme-binding transcription factor and known as a repressor of HMOX1.
• BACH1 is involved in heme degradation, redox regulation, cell cycle, apoptosis pathways and subcellular transport processes.
• BACH1 augments the breast cancer bone metastasis through up-regulating metastatic genes like MMP1 and CXCR4.

BACH1 (BTB and CNC homology 1, basic leucine zipper transcription factor 1) is a transcriptional factor and a member of cap ‘n’ collar (CNC) and basic region leucine zipper factor family. In contrast to other bZIP family members, BACH1 appeared as a comparatively specific transcription factor. It acts as transcription regulator and is recognized as a recently hypoxia regulator and functions as an inducible repressor for the HO-1 gene in many human cell types in response to stress oxidative. In regard to studies lately, although, BACH1 has been related to the regulation of oxidative stress and heme oxidation, it has never been linked to invasion and metastasis. Recent studies have showed that BACH1 is involved in bone metastasis of breast cancer by up-regulating vital metastatic genes like CXCR4 and MMP1. This newly discovered aspect of BACH1 gene provides new insight into cancer progression study and stands on its master regulator role in metastasis process, raising the possibility of considering it as a potential target for cancer therapy.