Heat Shock Protein Chaperome Is a Multi-Faceted Vector for Tumor Cell Migratory Activity, Invasion, and Metastasis

Heat shock proteins (HSPs), in particular, representatives of the HSP70 and HSP90 families, are the folding centers of cell proteins and have been proven to be overexpressed in various types of solid and hematological malignancies. With their involvement in a number of cellular functions (e.g., protection from various stresses including radiochemotherapy, transport regulation, apoptotic signal inhibition, etc.), these chaperones are a valuable target for cancer progression research. However, recent focus has shifted to the HSP interaction network, which includes many molecules involved in cell migration and invasion pathways. Investigating the interplay between different co-chaperones and their effect on cell motility may help with establishing a palette of available diagnostic and therapeutic targets for highly invasive cancer types. In this review, we describe current models of the HSP functional cycle and recent studies proving links between these cycle regulators and contributions to cell migration. Based on detailed studies of various co-chaperones' involvement in cancer progression, the network approach gives much necessary molecular context to previously established HSP functions.