Phenotypic Plasticity of Cancer Cells Based on Remodeling of the Actin Cytoskeleton and Adhesive Structures
Svetlana N. Rubtsova, Irina Y. Zhitnyak, Natalya A. Gloushankova
Abstract
There is ample evidence that, instead of a binary switch, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer results in a flexible array of phenotypes, each one uniquely suited to a stage in the invasion-metastasis cascade. The phenotypic plasticity of epithelium-derived cancer cells gives them an edge in surviving and thriving in alien environments. This review describes in detail the actin cytoskeleton and E-cadherin-based adherens junction rearrangements that cancer cells need to implement in order to achieve the advantageous epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype and plasticity of migratory phenotypes that can arise from partial EMT.
Topics & Concepts
Adherens junctionBiologyPhenotypeCell biologyActin cytoskeletonEpithelial–mesenchymal transitionCytoskeletonCancer cellPhenotypic plasticityMetastasisActinCancerCadherinGeneticsGeneCellCancer Cells and MetastasisHippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZCellular Mechanics and Interactions