Pleiotropic roles in cancer biology for multifaceted proteins FKBPs.

Background: FK506 binding proteins (FKBP) are multifunctional proteins highly conserved across the species and abundantly expressed in the cell. In addition to a well-established role in immunosuppression, FKBPs modulate several signal transduction pathways in the cell, due to their isomerase activity and the capability to interact with other proteins, inducing changes in conformation and function of protein partners. Increasing literature data support the concept that FKBPs control cancer related pathways.

Scope Of The Review: The aim of the present article is to review current knowledge on FKBPs roles in regulation of key signaling pathways associated with cancer.

Major Conclusions: Some family members appear to promote disease while others are protective against tumorigenesis.

General Significance: FKBPs family proteins are expected to provide new biomarkers and small molecular targets, in the near future, increasing diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities in the cancer field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Proline-Directed Foldases: Cell Signaling Catalysts and Drug Targets.