Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
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Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

Published on: March 26, 2018

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Driving cancer: Motor and adaptor protein dysregulation in endocytic receptor signalling

David H Kim1, Shreya E Boby1, Gregory M I Redpath1

  • 1EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|November 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Receptor endocytosis regulates cell signalling. Motor proteins and adaptors, crucial for this process, are increasingly implicated in cancer when their function is disrupted, driving uncontrolled cell growth.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cell surface receptor signalling is tightly regulated by endocytosis.
  • Aberrant receptor internalisation and trafficking in cancer promote uncontrolled cell growth.
  • Motor proteins and cargo adaptors are key regulators of intracellular transport and receptor signalling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding motor and adaptor protein function in healthy cells.
  • To discuss evidence implicating these proteins in oncogenic signalling.
  • To explore future directions for targeting these proteins in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies on receptor tyrosine kinases and endocytosis.
  • Examination of research on motor proteins and adaptor proteins in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Motor proteins and adaptors play critical roles in endosome positioning, recycling, and degradation.
  • Dysfunction of these proteins contributes to sustained or misrouted signalling in cancer.
  • Emerging evidence links motor and adaptor protein abnormalities to cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding motor and adaptor protein roles in healthy cells is crucial.
  • Their dysfunction represents a significant factor in oncogenic signalling.
  • Targeting these proteins offers potential new avenues for cancer treatment.

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