Biomolecular Condensates and Their Links to Cancer Progression - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2021 Jul;46(7):535-549.

doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.01.002. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Affiliations

Review

Danfeng Cai et al. Trends Biochem Sci. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged in recent years as an important physicochemical process for organizing diverse processes within cells via the formation of membraneless organelles termed biomolecular condensates. Emerging evidence now suggests that the formation and regulation of biomolecular condensates are also intricately linked to cancer formation and progression. We review the most recent literature linking the existence and/or dissolution of biomolecular condensates to different hallmarks of cancer formation and progression. We then discuss the opportunities that this condensate perspective provides for cancer research and the development of novel therapeutic approaches, including the perturbation of condensates by small-molecule inhibitors.

Keywords: biomolecular condensates; cancer; cancer therapy; phase separation.

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests No interests are declared.

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