Rab35 GTPase and cancer: Linking membrane trafficking to tumorigenesis

Abstract

Rab35 is a small GTPase that is involved in many cellular processes, including membrane trafficking, cell polarity, lipid homeostasis, immunity, phagocytosis and cytokinesis. Recent studies showed that activating mutations confer Rab35 with oncogenic properties. Conversely, downregulation of Rab35 inverts apico-basal cell polarity and promotes cell migration. Here we review Rab35’s known functions in membrane trafficking and signaling, cell division and cell migration in cancer cells and discuss the importance of Rab35-dependent membrane trafficking in cancer progression.