GAP-independent functions of DLC1 in metastasis

Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2014 Mar;33(1):87-100. doi: 10.1007/s10555-013-9458-0.

Abstract

Metastases are responsible for most cancer-related deaths. One of the hallmarks of metastatic cells is increased motility and migration through extracellular matrixes. These processes rely on specific small GTPases, in particular those of the Rho family. Deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC1) is a tumor suppressor that bears a RhoGAP activity. This protein is lost in most cancers, allowing malignant cells to proliferate and disseminate in a Rho-dependent manner. However, DLC1 is also a scaffold protein involved in alternative pathways leading to tumor and metastasis suppressor activities. Recently, substantial information has been gathered on these mechanisms and this review is aiming at describing the potential and known alternative GAP-independent mechanisms allowing DLC1 to impair migration, invasion, and metastasis formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DLC1 protein, human
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins