More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell

The epichaperome, a dynamic and integrated network of chaperone proteins, extends its roles beyond basic protein folding to protein stabilization and intracellular signal transduction to orchestrating a multitude of cellular processes critical for tumor survival. In this review, we explore the multi...

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Main Authors: Haneef Ahmed Amissah, Maxwell Hubert Antwi, Tawfeek Ahmed Amissah, Stephanie E. Combs, Maxim Shevtsov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Cells
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/3/204
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author Haneef Ahmed Amissah
Maxwell Hubert Antwi
Tawfeek Ahmed Amissah
Stephanie E. Combs
Maxim Shevtsov
author_facet Haneef Ahmed Amissah
Maxwell Hubert Antwi
Tawfeek Ahmed Amissah
Stephanie E. Combs
Maxim Shevtsov
author_sort Haneef Ahmed Amissah
collection DOAJ
description The epichaperome, a dynamic and integrated network of chaperone proteins, extends its roles beyond basic protein folding to protein stabilization and intracellular signal transduction to orchestrating a multitude of cellular processes critical for tumor survival. In this review, we explore the multifaceted roles of the epichaperome, delving into its diverse cellular locations, factors that modulate its formation and function, its liquid–liquid phase separation, and the key signaling and crosstalk pathways it regulates, including cellular metabolism and intracellular signal transduction. We further highlight techniques for isolating and identifying epichaperome networks, pitfalls, and opportunities. Further, we review the profound implications of the epichaperome for cancer treatment and therapy design, underscoring the need for strategic engineering that hinges on a comprehensive insight into the comprehensive structure and workings of the epichaperome across the heterogeneous cell subpopulations in the tumor milieu. By presenting a holistic view of the epichaperome’s functions and mechanisms, we aim to underscore its potential as a key target for novel anti-cancer strategies, revealing that the epichaperome is not merely a piece of protein folding machinery but a mastermind that facilitates the malignant phenotype.
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spelling doaj-art-8153355457744046bfe7159bbc7e38c82025-08-20T02:12:38ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-01-0114320410.3390/cells14030204More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer CellHaneef Ahmed Amissah0Maxwell Hubert Antwi1Tawfeek Ahmed Amissah2Stephanie E. Combs3Maxim Shevtsov4Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Department of Medical Biology and Biotechnology, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok 690922, RussiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua EN-112-3991, Eastern Region, GhanaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua EN-112-3991, Eastern Region, GhanaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, GermanyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, GermanyThe epichaperome, a dynamic and integrated network of chaperone proteins, extends its roles beyond basic protein folding to protein stabilization and intracellular signal transduction to orchestrating a multitude of cellular processes critical for tumor survival. In this review, we explore the multifaceted roles of the epichaperome, delving into its diverse cellular locations, factors that modulate its formation and function, its liquid–liquid phase separation, and the key signaling and crosstalk pathways it regulates, including cellular metabolism and intracellular signal transduction. We further highlight techniques for isolating and identifying epichaperome networks, pitfalls, and opportunities. Further, we review the profound implications of the epichaperome for cancer treatment and therapy design, underscoring the need for strategic engineering that hinges on a comprehensive insight into the comprehensive structure and workings of the epichaperome across the heterogeneous cell subpopulations in the tumor milieu. By presenting a holistic view of the epichaperome’s functions and mechanisms, we aim to underscore its potential as a key target for novel anti-cancer strategies, revealing that the epichaperome is not merely a piece of protein folding machinery but a mastermind that facilitates the malignant phenotype.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/3/204epichaperomecancersignaling pathwaysliquid–liquid phase separation
spellingShingle Haneef Ahmed Amissah
Maxwell Hubert Antwi
Tawfeek Ahmed Amissah
Stephanie E. Combs
Maxim Shevtsov
More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
Cells
epichaperome
cancer
signaling pathways
liquid–liquid phase separation
title More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
title_full More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
title_fullStr More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
title_full_unstemmed More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
title_short More than Just Protein Folding: The Epichaperome, Mastermind of the Cancer Cell
title_sort more than just protein folding the epichaperome mastermind of the cancer cell
topic epichaperome
cancer
signaling pathways
liquid–liquid phase separation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/3/204
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