The FERM family proteins in cancer invasion and metastasis

Metastasis is the major cause of death in patients with cancer. Metastatic cancer cells undergo dramatic molecular and cellular changes by remodeling their cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and their actin cytoskeleton, molecular processes that involve the activity of various signaling networks. The FERM family proteins can link transmembrane proteins to the cytoskeleton or link kinase and/or phosphatase enzymatic activity to the plasma membrane. They thus are involved not only in cell-extracellular matrix interactions and cell-cell communication but also in apoptosis, carcinogenesis and metastasis. This review will summarize the role and mechanism of FERM protein, with particular reference to the ERM and Ehm2 proteins in cancer metastasis.