Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay
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RhoC GTPase Activation Assay

Published on: August 22, 2010

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High expression of small GTPase Rab3D promotes cancer progression and metastasis

Jian Yang1,2,3, Wei Liu1,2,3, Xin'an Lu1,2,3

  • 1National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-tumor Protein Therapeutics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Oncotarget
|April 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Rab3D, a secretory small GTPase, drives cancer metastasis by promoting tumor invasion and migration. Blocking Rab3D function offers a potential therapeutic strategy against cancer spread.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Rab GTPases regulate membrane trafficking, including exosome release.
  • Rab3D is a key regulator of protein secretion.
  • The role of Rab3D in cancer, particularly metastasis, remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and molecular mechanisms of Rab3D in cancer progression and metastasis.
  • To assess Rab3D expression levels in various cancer types and clinical specimens.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of Rab3D protein levels in cancer cell lines and clinical samples.
  • Establishment of in vitro migration and in vivo orthotopic metastatic mouse models.
  • Analysis of AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction.
  • Assessment of extracellular Heat Shock Protein 90 alpha (Hsp90α) secretion.

Main Results:

  • Rab3D expression is dysregulated in cancer cells and correlates with tumor malignancy.
  • Increased Rab3D expression enhances tumor invasion and lung metastasis in vivo.
  • Rab3D knockdown inhibits tumor cell motility.
  • Rab3D activates AKT/GSK3β signaling, promoting EMT and Hsp90α secretion, thereby driving migration and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Rab3D is a critical regulator of cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting Rab3D represents a potential therapeutic avenue for inhibiting cancer spread.
Keywords:
EMTHsp90αRab3Dexosomestumor metastasis

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