RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Roles of Rap1 signaling in tumor cell migration and invasion JF Cancer Biology and Medicine JO Cancer Biol Med FD China Anti-Cancer Association SP 90 OP 99 DO 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2016.0086 VO 14 IS 1 A1 Yi-Lei Zhang A1 Ruo-Chen Wang A1 Ken Cheng A1 Brian Z. Ring A1 Li Su YR 2017 UL http://www.cancerbiomed.org/content/14/1/90.abstract AB Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1), a small GTPase in the Ras-related protein family, is an important regulator of basic cellular functions (e.g., formation and control of cell adhesions and junctions), cellular migration, and polarization. Through its interaction with other proteins, Rap1 plays many roles during cell invasion and metastasis in different cancers. The basic function of Rap1 is straightforward; it acts as a switch during cellular signaling transduction and regulated by its binding to either guanosine triphosphate (GTP) or guanosine diphosphate (GDP). However, its remarkably diverse function is rendered by its interplay with a large number of distinct Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factors and Rap GTPase activating proteins. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which Rap1 signaling can regulate cell invasion and metastasis, focusing on its roles in integrin and cadherin regulation, Rho GTPase control, and matrix metalloproteinase expression.