Alterations of Cytoskeleton Networks in Cell Fate Determination and Cancer Development.

Abstract

Cytoskeleton proteins have been long recognized as structural proteins that provide the necessary mechanical architecture for cell development and tissue homeostasis. With the completion of the cancer genome project, scientists were surprised to learn that huge numbers of mutated genes are annotated as cytoskeletal or associated proteins. Although most of these mutations are considered as passenger mutations during cancer development and evolution, some genes show high mutation rates that can even determine clinical outcomes. In addition, (phospho)proteomics study confirms that many cytoskeleton-associated proteins, e.g., β-catenin, PIK3CA, and MB21D2, are important signaling mediators, further suggesting their biofunctional roles in cancer development. With emerging evidence to indicate the involvement of mechanotransduction in stemness formation and cell differentiation, mutations in these key cytoskeleton components may change the physical/mechanical properties of the cells and determine the cell fate during cancer development. In particular, tumor microenvironment remodeling triggered by such alterations has been known to play important roles in autophagy, metabolism, cancer dormancy, and immune evasion. In this review paper, we will highlight the current understanding of how aberrant cytoskeleton networks affect cancer behaviors and cellular functions through mechanotransduction.

• Authors: Evan Ja-Yang Wang, I-Hsuan Chen, Brian Yu-Ting Kuo, Chia-Cheng Yu, Ming-Tsung Lai, Jen-Tai Lin, Leo Yen-Ting Lin, Chih-Mei Chen, Tritium Hwang, Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu
• Journal: Biomolecules (Biomolecules) Vol. 12 Issue 12 (12 13 2022) ISSN: 2218-273X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 36551290 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytoskeletal Proteins

Topics

• Humans
• Mechanotransduction, Cellular
• Cytoskeleton (metabolism)
• Microtubules (metabolism)
• Cytoskeletal Proteins (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Cell Differentiation
• Tumor Microenvironment