title: Cortactin in tumor invasiveness.
abstract: Cortactin is a cytoskeletal protein and src kinase substrate that is frequently overexpressed in cancer. Animal studies suggest that cortactin overexpression increases tumor aggressiveness, possibly through promotion of tumor invasion and metastasis. Recently, many studies have documented a role for cortactin in promoting cell motility and invasion, including a critical role in invadopodia, actin rich-subcellular protrusions associated with degradation of the extracellular matrix by cancer cells. Here, I review the evidence and potential mechanisms for cortactin as a critical mediator of tumor cell invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 448 PRB, VUMC, Nashville, TN 37232-6840, USA. Alissa.weaver@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Alissa M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D051356:Cortactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011485:Protein Binding; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; C495868:CTTN protein, human; D051356:Cortactin