Palladin is a Selective Regulator of Rho GTPases During Cancer Cell Migration

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and infiltrative brain tumor that carries a poor prognosis and mostly originates from normal astrocytic glial cells. The dissemination of this rapidly proliferating neoplasm into neighboring regions of the brain is highly reliant on cell migration. This process is triggered by highly regulated signaling pathways that involve the activation of Rho GTPases. Palladin, a newly discovered actin-associated phosphoprotein, has been linked to cell motility, adhesion and invasion in various cancer types through the modulation of Rho GTPases. As such, our research aimed to examine the role of Palladin in glioblastoma 2D cell migration as well as its role as a regulator of the activity of two extensively studied Rho GTPases, Cdc42 and Rac1. The findings of this study suggest that Palladin is indeed a positive modulator of the migration of glioblastoma cells.