The role of the oncogenic Rab35 in cancer invasion, metastasis, and immune evasion, especially in leukemia

Small GTPases. 2020 Sep;11(5):334-345. doi: 10.1080/21541248.2018.1463895. Epub 2018 May 28.

Abstract

The study of cancer has allowed researchers to describe some biological characteristics that tumor cells acquire during their development, known as the "hallmarks of cancer" but more research is needed to expand our knowledge about cancer biology and to generate new strategies of treatment. The role that RabGTPases might play in some hallmarks of cancer represents interesting areas of study since these proteins are frequently altered in cancer. However, their participation is not well known. Recently, Rab35was recognized as an oncogenic RabGTPase and and because of its association with different cellular functions, distinctly important in immune cells, a possible role of Rab35 in leukemia can be suggested. Nevertheless, the involvement of Rab35 in cancer remains poorly understood and its possible specific role in leukemia remains unknown. In this review, we analyze general aspects of the participation of RabGTPases in cancer, and especially, the plausible role of Rab35 in leukemia.

Keywords: Arf6; Cdc42; Epi64C; Rab35; RabGTPases; Rac1; actin dynamics; cancer invasion; exosomes; immune evasion; leukemia; metastasis; vesicular trafficking.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Leukemia / immunology
  • Leukemia / metabolism*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RAB35 protein, human
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

FRV is funded by CONACYT through the PhD Fellowship #257893. GPL work is funded through Federal Funds from the Hospital Infantil de México, grants HIM-2014/003 SSA 1129 and HIM-2015/005 SSA 1182. HIM-2016/012 SSA 1233.