KAI1 tetraspanin and metastasis suppressor

Abstract KAI1 is a widely expressed transmembrane glycoprotein of the tetraspanin family. Substantial experimental evidence suggests that KAI1 is an important regulator of cell behaviour. A loss of KAI1 expression is also associated with the advanced stages of many human malignancies and results in the acquisition of invasive and metastatic capabilities by tumour cells, yet the underlying mechanisms responsible for this down-regulation of KAI1 expression remain to be resolved. The recent identification of signalling pathways downstream of KAI1, and proteins that specifically interact with KAI1, are beginning to elucidate the biological pathways involving KAI1.