Rabs Mediated Membrane Trafficking in Cancer Progression

Abstract

Ras-associated binding (Rab) GTPases control diverse stages of endo and exocytic pathways. Functional impairments of Rabs and its associated proteins have been implicated in many hereditary and neurological diseases. Although Rabs are not classically considered as oncoproteins, many Rabs have been involved in tumor progression/proliferation and its aggressiveness. Rabs contribute to tumor cell migration, invasion of cancer cell to extracellular matrix (ECM) and modification of tumor microenvironment through modulation in integrin trafficking, exosomal and protease secretions. In the present review, current knowledge about the pathogenesis and tumor progression of some Rabs (Rab27, 25 & 21) has been discussed.