WASP and WAVE proteins: Vital intrinsic regulators of cell motility and their role in cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Herman S. Fernando
    • Howard G. Kynaston
    • Wen G. Jiang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000111
  • Pages: 141-148
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Abstract

Cell migration is critical during the metastatic spread of cancer cells. Metastases, rather than primary tumours, are responsible for most cancer-related deaths. Invasive cancer cells acquire a migratory phenotype which is associated with an increased expression of several genes involved in cell motility. Actin, which is the most abundant protein in most eukaryotic cells, is necessary for whole cell locomotion. Reorganisation of actin filaments is regulated by a highly integrated signalling cascade governed by ‘molecular switches’ which belong to the Rho GTPase family. WASP family proteins are downstream molecules which form a link between the GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton. The WASP family includes 5 members and is structurally divided into 2 groups: Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome proteins (WASPs) and WASP verprolin homologous proteins (WAVEs). Current evidence suggests that WAVEs are crucial for cell motility and metastasis. This is a review on the possible role of WAVEs in cancer and the clinical associations found in human cancer.

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February 2009
Volume 23 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Fernando HS, Kynaston HG and Jiang WG: WASP and WAVE proteins: Vital intrinsic regulators of cell motility and their role in cancer (Review). Int J Mol Med 23: 141-148, 2009
APA
Fernando, H.S., Kynaston, H.G., & Jiang, W.G. (2009). WASP and WAVE proteins: Vital intrinsic regulators of cell motility and their role in cancer (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 23, 141-148. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000111
MLA
Fernando, H. S., Kynaston, H. G., Jiang, W. G."WASP and WAVE proteins: Vital intrinsic regulators of cell motility and their role in cancer (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23.2 (2009): 141-148.
Chicago
Fernando, H. S., Kynaston, H. G., Jiang, W. G."WASP and WAVE proteins: Vital intrinsic regulators of cell motility and their role in cancer (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 23, no. 2 (2009): 141-148. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000111