Prohibitin (PHB), an evolutionary conserved gene, is mapped at the chromosomal location 17q21–q22 and is present with two isoforms, namely, PHB1 and PHB2. Both of these isoforms have their individual roles in tumor suppression and cell proliferation. The presence of these isoforms is not restricted to single cellular organelle but can be located in the nucleus, mitochondria, and cytosol. Importantly, loss of heterozygosity in the prohibitin gene has been noted in a significant number of different cancer types. Along with this, there are other mutations that contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer cell proliferation. Sporadic breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer are a few examples in which regulation of PHB plays a major role. PHB has shown to be both up-regulated and down-regulated depending on the type of cancer or disease. PHB acts as the biomarker for several types of cancers and is also seen as a potential therapeutic target. Along with cancer, PHB has also been seen to play an important role in other diseases such as neurological diseases, cardiac diseases, and renal diseases. The link between PHB and a plethora of diseases opens a new window in which PHB can be actually targeted in treatment as well as disease management. Here, we review the regulation of PHB in different types of cancers along with its significant interaction in other disorders.
