p21-Activated Kinases in Thyroid Cancer

Endocrinology. 2020 Aug 1;161(8):bqaa105. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa105.

Abstract

The family of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are oncogenic proteins that regulate critical cellular functions. PAKs play central signaling roles in the integrin/CDC42/Rho, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, functioning both as kinases and scaffolds to regulate cell motility, mitosis and proliferation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and other cellular activities. PAKs have been implicated in both the development and progression of a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic melanoma, thyroid cancer, and others. Here we will discuss the current knowledge on the structure and biological functions of both group I and group II PAKs, as well as the roles that PAKs play in oncogenesis and progression, with a focus on thyroid cancer and emerging data regarding BRAF/PAK signaling.

Keywords: BRAF; PAK; cancer; p21-activated kinase; thyroid cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • p21-Activated Kinases / genetics
  • p21-Activated Kinases / physiology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • p21-Activated Kinases