The metastatic cancer cell cortex: an adaptation to enhance robust cell division in novel environments?

Bioessays. 2012 Dec;34(12):1017-20. doi: 10.1002/bies.201200109. Epub 2012 Sep 20.

Abstract

To metastasize, cancer cells must be able to complete cell division in environments very different from their tissue of origin. We suggest that mitotic cell rounding, aided by several actin-regulatory oncogenes, may facilitate this process in a robust, context-independent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitosis*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oncogenes
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • ECT2 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • ezrin
  • radixin