Rab35 GTPase and cancer: Linking membrane trafficking to tumorigenesis

International audienceBrief synopsis: Rab35 is a small GTPase that was recently reported to possess oncogenic activating mutations in human tumors. Conversely, Rab35 depletion inverts apico-basal cell polarity and promotes cell migration. In the present review we describe how Rab35's known functions in membrane trafficking, signaling, cell division and cell migration could explain its role in tumorigenesis. 2 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