Cofilin Acts as a Booster for Progression of Malignant Tumors Represented by Glioma

Abstract

Cofilin, as a depolymerization factor of actin filaments, has been widely studied. Evidences show that cofilin has a role in actin structural reorganization and dynamic regulation. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated a regulatory role for cofilin in the migration and invasion mediated by cell dynamics and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)/EMT-like process, apoptosis, radiotherapy resistance, immune escape, and transcriptional dysregulation of malignant tumor cells, particularly glioma cells. On this basis, it is practical to evaluate cofilin as a biomarker for predicting tumor metastasis and prognosis. Targeting cofilin regulating kinases, Lin11, Isl-1 and Mec-3 kinases (LIM kinases/LIMKs) and their major upstream molecules inhibits tumor cell migration and invasion and targeting cofilin-mediated mitochondrial pathway induces apoptosis of tumor cells represent effective options for the development of novel anti-malignant tumor drug, especially anti-glioma drugs. This review explores the structure, general biological function, and regulation of cofilin, with an emphasis on the critical functions and prospects for clinical therapeutic applications of cofilin in malignant tumors represented by glioma.

Involvement of lncRNAs in cancer cells migration, invasion and metastasis: cytoskeleton and ECM crosstalk

“…The phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation status of CFL1 ascertain its activity, as CFL1 phosphorylation inhibits its activity and ability to bind F-actin and hence actin filaments remodeling [ 84 ]. Moreover, CFL1 upregulation has been perceived in many cancers, since it induces metastasis and inhibits apoptosis of cancer cells [ 85 – 87 ].…”