The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Tumor Progression

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Pathophysiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 5766

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
Interests: cytoskeleton effector proteins; glioblastoma invasion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cytoskeleton is an organized, dynamic meshwork of protein filaments that reinforce cell membranes, provide cell shape and structural integrity, and facilitate essential cellular functions. The eukaryotic cytoskeleton is composed of three classes of filamentous fibers: actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cells utilize a dynamic cytoskeleton to generate force that propels them into and through the extracellular space. Cytoskeletal filament polymerization and/or tractional tension generated against existing filaments provides that force. Differences in ECM adhesions, actin protrusions, and actomyosin contractility characterize cellular motility patterns (i.e., amoeboid, collective, mesenchymal motility). These features are dictated by differences in gene expression, signaling activity, and environmental factors.

Loss of control over cellular motility pathways is a central feature of malignancy. Dynamic remodeling of both the actin and microtubule cytoskeletal systems is required for microstructural and macrostructural patterns for tumor cell invasion. Understanding the contributions of mechanisms underlying dynamic cytoskeleton remodeling in motile cancer cells will support generation of therapeutics targeting cancer cell motility to aid in the control of tumor progression. This Special Issue seeks to highlight the current state of the art in basic and (pre)clinical cytoskeleton research in tumor cell motility, including understanding the formation of pro-invasion cytoskeletal structures (e.g., invadopodia, tumor microtubes, or tunneling nanotubes, amongst others) which may contribute to therapeutic resistance and disease progression.

Prof. Dr. Kathryn M. Eisenmann
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cytoskeleton
  • actin
  • tubulin
  • invasion
  • metastasis
  • Rho GTPase
  • tumor microtube
  • tunneling nanotube
  • targeted therapy
  • tumor progression

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 3615 KiB  
Article
MCAK Inhibitors Induce Aneuploidy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models
by John C. Smith, Stefan Husted, Jay Pilrose, Stephanie C. Ems-McClung, Jane R. Stout, Richard L. Carpenter and Claire E. Walczak
Cancers 2023, 15(13), 3309; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15133309 - 23 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2804 | Correction
Abstract
Standard of care for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) involves the use of microtubule poisons such as paclitaxel, which are proposed to work by inducing lethal levels of aneuploidy in tumor cells. While these drugs are initially effective in treating cancer, dose-limiting peripheral neuropathies [...] Read more.
Standard of care for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) involves the use of microtubule poisons such as paclitaxel, which are proposed to work by inducing lethal levels of aneuploidy in tumor cells. While these drugs are initially effective in treating cancer, dose-limiting peripheral neuropathies are common. Unfortunately, patients often relapse with drug-resistant tumors. Identifying agents against targets that limit aneuploidy may be a valuable approach for therapeutic development. One potential target is the microtubule depolymerizing kinesin, MCAK, which limits aneuploidy by regulating microtubule dynamics during mitosis. Using publicly available datasets, we found that MCAK is upregulated in triple-negative breast cancer and is associated with poorer prognoses. Knockdown of MCAK in tumor-derived cell lines caused a two- to five-fold reduction in the IC50 for paclitaxel, without affecting normal cells. Using FRET and image-based assays, we screened compounds from the ChemBridge 50 k library and discovered three putative MCAK inhibitors. These compounds reproduced the aneuploidy-inducing phenotype of MCAK loss, reduced clonogenic survival of TNBC cells regardless of taxane-resistance, and the most potent of the three, C4, sensitized TNBC cells to paclitaxel. Collectively, our work shows promise that MCAK may serve as both a biomarker of prognosis and as a therapeutic target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Tumor Progression)
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Review

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25 pages, 1198 KiB  
Review
Role of Cyclins and Cytoskeletal Proteins in Endometriosis: Insights into Pathophysiology
by Marcin Szymański, Klaudia Bonowicz, Paulina Antosik, Dominika Jerka, Mariola Głowacka, Małgorzata Soroka, Kerstin Steinbrink, Konrad Kleszczyński and Maciej Gagat
Cancers 2024, 16(4), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16040836 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition where endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus, posing challenges in understanding and treatment. This article delves into the deep cellular and molecular processes underlying endometriosis, with a focus on the crucial roles played by cyclins and cytoskeletal proteins [...] Read more.
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition where endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus, posing challenges in understanding and treatment. This article delves into the deep cellular and molecular processes underlying endometriosis, with a focus on the crucial roles played by cyclins and cytoskeletal proteins in its pathogenesis, particularly in the context of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The investigation begins by examining the activities of cyclins, elucidating their diverse biological roles such as cell cycle control, proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and angiogenesis among ectopic endometrial cells. A comprehensive analysis of cytoskeletal proteins follows, emphasizing their fundamental biological roles and their specific significance to endometriotic cell features. This review sheds light on the interconnected pathways through which cyclins and cytoskeletal proteins converge, contributing to the genesis and progression of endometriosis. Understanding these molecular complexities not only provides insight into the underlying causes of the disease but also holds promise for the development of specific therapeutic approaches, ushering in a new era in the management of this devastating disorder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Tumor Progression)
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Other

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2 pages, 857 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Smith et al. MCAK Inhibitors Induce Aneuploidy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models. Cancers 2023, 15, 3309
by John C. Smith, Stefan Husted, Jay Pilrose, Stephanie C. Ems-McClung, Jane R. Stout, Richard L. Carpenter and Claire E. Walczak
Cancers 2024, 16(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16020293 - 10 Jan 2024
Viewed by 867
Abstract
The authors alerted the Editorial Office of the mistake on 5 August 2023 and the final documents were sent for evaluation on 12 December 2023 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Tumor Progression)
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