RAN GTPase as a target for cancer therapy: Ran binding proteins

The identification of a relevant effector of Ran GTPase (Ran) signaling and its pathways could provide a novel approach to cancer therapeutics. With recent research highlighting the significant relationship between Ran expression and the occurrence and progression of cancer, the development of a small molecule compound that would decrease the endogenous levels of Ran in the cell would have anti-mitotic effects and could lead to the development of new types of cancer therapeutics. In the absence of Ran binding proteins, Ran is expected to remain locked up in non-productive complexes with importins and is effectively removed from the system. Thus, Ran binding proteins present as a logical molecular target for the inhibition of Ran signaling within the cancer cell. Moreover, this family of proteins has been shown to have various other functions within the cell, some of which are also anti-neoplastic. The purpose of this review is to discuss Ran binding proteins and how their pathways may be exploited to provide an effective cancer treatment.