Aberrant localization of signaling proteins in skin cancer: Implications for treatment.

Aberrant subcellular localization of signaling proteins can provide cancer cells with advantages such as resistance to apoptotic cell death, increased invasiveness and more rapid proliferation. Nuclear to cytoplasmic shifts in tumor-promoting proteins can lead to worse patient outcomes, providing opportunities to target cancer-specific processes. Herein, we review the significance of dysregulated protein localization with a focus on skin cancer. Altered localization of signaling proteins controlling cell cycle progression or cell death is a common feature of cancer. In some instances, aberrant subcellular localization results in an acquired prosurvival function. Taking advantage of this knowledge reveals novel targets useful in the development of cancer therapeutics.