A p27(kip1)-binding protein, p27RF-Rho, promotes cancer metastasis via activation of RhoA and RhoC.

ABSTRACT: Rho family proteins regulate multiple cellular functions including motility and invasion through regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and gene expression. Activation of Rho proteins is controlled precisely by multiple regulators in a spatiotemporal manner. RhoA and/or RhoC are key players that regulate the metastatic activity of malignant tumor cells, and it is therefore of particular interest to understand how activation of these Rho proteins is controlled. We recently identified an upstream regulator of RhoA activation, p27RF-Rho (p27(kip1) releasing factor from RhoA) that acts by freeing RhoA from inhibition by p27(kip1). p27(kip1) is a cell cycle regulator when it is localized to the nucleus, but it binds RhoA and inhibits activation of the latter when it is localized to the cytoplasm.

SUBMITTER: Hoshino D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3024806 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature