ABSTRACT
The S100 proteins, which form the main focus of this section, have been shown to be capable of modulating enzyme function and altering cytoskeletal dynamics. They can bind to a variety of cellular target proteins, and possibly by this means control cell cycle progression. Furthermore, much evidence has accumulated that shows these proteins are associated with terminal cell differentiation; they can promote remodelling of the ECM, alter cell shape, motility, and enhance the invasive behaviour, and metastatic spread of cancer. Here we attempt to link the physical and physiological alterations occurring in a cell consequent to overexpression of S100 proteins with the salient phenotypic aspects of biological behaviour of cells.
