Gene-Regulated Signaling Pathways in Cancer
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 1021
Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Caveolins, the main structural proteins of caveolae, play vital roles in regulating plasma membrane curvature, compartmentalizing signaling pathways, and influencing gene expression. Among them, caveolin-1 (CAV1) acts as a scaffolding protein that modulates key signaling cascades such as MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT through interactions with Ras and related intermediates. Altered caveolin expression or aberrant Ras activation can disrupt membrane organization and curvature, leading to widespread effects on cell signaling and transcriptional regulation.
CAV1 expression is controlled by multiple mechanisms, including promoter methylation, histone modification, and regulation by noncoding RNAs, allowing cells to finely tune its levels in response to physiological and pathological cues. Caveolin-1 also interacts with transcription factors like STAT3, NF-κB, and p53, thereby modulating gene networks involved in proliferation, survival, and stress adaptation.
By linking membrane architecture to nuclear signaling, caveolin-1 integrates mechanical and biochemical signals that shape cell behavior. Its dysregulation can drive processes such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion, which are central to disease progression. Depending on context, caveolin-1 may act as either a tumor suppressor or promoter. Overall, this membrane–signaling–gene regulatory network underscores how nanoscale membrane dynamics influence macroscopic cellular outcomes and therapeutic possibilities.
Dr. Alexander Damalas
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- caveolin-1 (CAV1)
- caveolae
- Ras
- EMT
- invasion
- MAPK
- PI3K-Akt
- membrane curvature (MC)
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