MICAL redox enzymes and actin remodeling: New links to classical tumorigenic and cancer pathways

Abstract

MICAL Redox enzymes have recently emerged as direct regulators of cell shape and motility – working through specific reversible post-translational oxidation of actin to disassemble and remodel the cytoskeleton. Links are also now emerging between MICALs and cancer, including our recent results that regulation of MICAL sensitizes cancer cells to the cancer drug Gleevec. Targeting this new actin regulatory enzyme system may thus provide new therapeutic options for cancer treatment.

Keywords

• abl
• attraction
• chemotropic
• growth factors
• kinase
• phosphorylation
• plexins
• post-translational modification
• repulsion
• semaphorins