Regulation of Cancer Cell Behavior by the Small GTPase Rab13

J Biol Chem. 2016 May 6;291(19):9929-37. doi: 10.1074/jbc.R116.715193. Epub 2016 Apr 4.

Abstract

The members of the Rab family of GTPases are master regulators of cellular membrane trafficking. With ∼70 members in humans, Rabs have been implicated in all steps of membrane trafficking ranging from vesicle formation and transport to vesicle docking/tethering and fusion. Vesicle trafficking controls the localization and levels of a myriad of proteins, thus regulating cellular functions including proliferation, metabolism, cell-cell adhesion, and cell migration. It is therefore not surprising that impairment of Rab pathways is associated with diseases including cancer. In this review, we highlight evidence supporting the role of Rab13 as a potent driver of cancer progression.

Keywords: DENN; Rab; Rab13; actin; cancer; cell adhesion; cell migration; guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF); integrin; mical.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Cell Membrane / genetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms
  • Signal Transduction*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RAB13 protein, human
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins