Membrane rafts as a novel target in cancer therapy

Anita Hryniewicz-Jankowska; Katarzyna Augoff; Agnieszka Biernatowska; Joanna Podkalicka; Aleksander F Sikorski

doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.006

Membrane rafts as a novel target in cancer therapy

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014 Apr;1845(2):155-65. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.006. Epub 2014 Jan 27.

Authors

Anita Hryniewicz-Jankowska¹, Katarzyna Augoff², Agnieszka Biernatowska¹, Joanna Podkalicka¹, Aleksander F Sikorski³

Affiliations

¹ University of Wrocław, Biotechnology Faculty, Wrocław, Poland.
² Medical University of Wrocław, Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Wrocław, Poland.
³ University of Wrocław, Biotechnology Faculty, Wrocław, Poland. Electronic address: afsbc@ibmb.uni.wroc.pl.

PMID: 24480320
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.006

Abstract

Membrane rafts are distinct plasma membrane microdomains that are enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol. They organize receptors and their downstream molecules and regulate a number of intracellular signaling pathways. This review presents information on the dependence of several growth factor receptor signaling pathways on membrane rafts. It also discusses the involvement of rafts in the regulation of differentiation, apoptosis and cell migration connected with invasiveness and metastasis. Examples of known synthetic and naturally occurring substances that are known to affect lateral membrane organization in tumor cell growth are discussed as potential or actual therapeutics.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cancer therapy; Cholesterol; Growth factor receptor signaling; Membrane rafts; Neoplasia.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Apoptosis / genetics
Cell Differentiation / genetics
Cell Movement / genetics
Humans
Membrane Microdomains / genetics*
Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
Molecular Targeted Therapy*
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / genetics*
Neoplasms / pathology
Signal Transduction