Rab27 GTPases distribute extracellular nanomaps for invasive growth and metastasis: implications for prognosis and treatment

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 May 10;14(5):9883-92. doi: 10.3390/ijms14059883.

Abstract

The Rab27 family of small GTPases regulates exocytosis of distinct vesicle types including multivesicular endosomes, which results in the release of exosomes. Exosomes are nanometer-sized membrane vesicles that enclose soluble factors such as proteins and nucleic acids within a lipid bilayer and can travel toward distant tissues to influence multiple aspects of cell behavior. In our view that tumors are endocrine organs producing exosomes, Rab27 GTPases and their effector proteins are critical determinants for invasive growth and metastasis. Rab27 proteins and their effectors may serve as prognostic biomarkers or as targets for patient-tailored therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Exocytosis
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • Exosomes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rab27 GTP-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • rab27 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • RAB27A protein, human
  • Rab27B protein, human
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins