Roles of Arf6 in cancer cell invasion, metastasis and proliferation

ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), a member of small GTPases ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) family, expresses widely in mammalian cells and mainly regulates the functions of membrane traffic and actin remodeling. Current studies indicated that the activation and high expression of Arf6 protein may be significantly correlated with the invasion and metastasis of several tumors, such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, etc. Meanwhile, the ability of tumor invasion and metastasis can be suppressed when Arf6 activity is blocked by the inhibitors or small-interfering RNAs of Arf6. To explore the precisely potential mechanisms between Arf6 and the process of tumor invasion, metastasis and proliferation, we concludes the functions and potential signaling pathways of Arf6 in tumor cells and provides an overview about clinical prospects of Arf6 in the screening, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of prognosis of neoplasms.