TY - JOUR AU - Lindquist, Jonathan A. AU - Mertens, Peter R. PY - 2018 DA - 2018/09/26 TI - Cold shock proteins: from cellular mechanisms to pathophysiology and disease JO - Cell Communication and Signaling SP - 63 VL - 16 IS - 1 AB - Cold shock proteins are multifunctional RNA/DNA binding proteins, characterized by the presence of one or more cold shock domains. In humans, the best characterized members of this family are denoted Y-box binding proteins, such as Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1). Biological activities range from the regulation of transcription, splicing and translation, to the orchestration of exosomal RNA content. Indeed, the secretion of YB-1 from cells via exosomes has opened the door to further potent activities. Evidence links a skewed cold shock protein expression pattern with cancer and inflammatory diseases. In this review the evidence for a causative involvement of cold shock proteins in disease development and progression is summarized. Furthermore, the potential application of cold shock proteins for diagnostics and as targets for therapy is elucidated. SN - 1478-811X UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-018-0274-6 DO - 10.1186/s12964-018-0274-6 ID - Lindquist2018 ER -