The mechanisms of DIRAS family members in role of tumor suppressor

J Cell Physiol. 2019 May;234(5):5564-5577. doi: 10.1002/jcp.27376. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Abstract

DIRAS family is a group of GTPases belonging to the RAS superfamily and shares homology with the pro-oncogenic Ras GTPases. Currently, accumulating evidence show that DIRAS family members could be identified as putative tumor suppressors in various cancers. The either lost or reduced expression of DIRAS proteins play an important role in cancer development, including cell growth, migration, apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and tumor dormancy. This review focuses on the latest research regarding the roles and mechanisms of the DIRAS family members in regulating Ras function, cancer development, assessing potential challenges, and providing insights into the possibility of targeting them for therapeutic use.

Keywords: DIRAS family members; apoptosis; autophagy; cell growth.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Autophagy
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DIRAS3 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • DIRAS1 protein, human
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • ras Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins