Targeting Cdc42 in cancer. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arias-Romero, Luis E; Chernoff, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on therapeutic targets. Volume 17:Number 11(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1263
• Page End: 1273
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.072
• DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.828037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-7631

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction: </italic> </bold>The Rho GTPases are a family of proteins that control fundamental cellular processes in response to extracellular stimuli and internal programs. Rho GTPases function as molecular switches in which the GTP-bound proteins are active and GDP-bound proteins are inactive. This article will focus on one Rho family member, Cdc42, which is overexpressed in a number of human cancers, and which might provide new therapeutic targets in malignancies.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> In this article, the key regulators and effectors of Cdc42 and their molecular alterations are described. The complex interactions between the signaling cascades regulated by Cdc42 are also analyzed.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion: </italic> </bold>While mutations in Cdc42 have not been reported in human cancer, aberrant expression of Cdc42 has been reported in a variety of tumor types and in some instances has been correlated with poor prognosis. Recently, it has been shown that Cdc42 activation by oncogenic Ras is crucial for Ras-mediated tumorigenesis, suggesting that targeting Cdc42 or its effectors might be useful in tumors harboring activating <italic>Ras</italic> mutations.</p> </abstract>