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Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
Published on: March 26, 2018
Cell polarity proteins and cancer
Saskia I J Ellenbroek1, Sandra Iden, John G Collard
1Division of Cell Biology I, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Seminars in Cancer Biology
|April 3, 2012
Summary
Cell polarity, regulated by Crumbs, Par, and Scribble complexes, is crucial for tissue integrity. Aberrant polarity signaling in epithelial cells is a key factor in human cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cell polarity is vital for biological processes, development, and tissue homeostasis.
- Loss of cell polarity is a hallmark of human cancers, particularly those originating from epithelial cells.
- Three conserved protein complexes—Crumbs, Par, and Scribble—orchestrate cell polarity across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data linking cell polarity signaling to tumorigenesis.
- To highlight the role of polarity proteins in epithelial cancer development.
- To provide an overview of how disrupted polarity contributes to cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of functional studies in mammalian cells, Drosophila, and zebrafish.
- Analysis of reports on aberrant expression and localization of polarity proteins in human tumors.
- Synthesis of evidence connecting polarity signaling pathways to oncogenesis.
Main Results:
- Aberrant polarity signaling is implicated in the multistep process of human cancer.
- Evidence from model organisms and human tumors confirms the role of polarity proteins in oncogenesis.
- Disruption of polarity protein complexes contributes to the loss of tissue integrity and cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- Cell polarity maintenance is critical for preventing cancer.
- Understanding polarity signaling pathways offers insights into epithelial tumorigenesis.
- Targeting polarity mechanisms may present novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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