P97/CDC-48: Proteostasis control in tumor cell biology

• P97/CDC-48 is a member of the AAA+ ATPase family.
• P97/CDC-48 is involved in numerous cellular process through its binding to accessory proteins.
• P97/CDC-48 is a major regulator of proteostasis.
• High P97/CDC-48 expression levels in tumor have been correlated with aggressiveness.

P97/CDC-48 is a prominent member of a highly evolutionary conserved Walker cassette – containing AAA + ATPases. It has been involved in numerous cellular processes ranging from the control of protein homeostasis to membrane trafficking through the intervention of specific accessory proteins. Expression of p97/CDC-48 in cancers has been correlated with tumor aggressiveness and prognosis, however the precise underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be characterized. Moreover p97/CDC-48 inhibitors were developed and are currently under intense investigation as anticancer drugs. Herein, we discuss the role of p97/CDC-48 in cancer development and its therapeutic potential in tumor cell biology.