SH3BP1, also known as ARHGAP43, is a member of the RhoGAP family. It specifically inactivates Rac1 and its target protein Wave2, and is involved in regulating cell motility. It is associated with pathways such as the Ral/exocyst and Rac signaling pathways, playing a crucial role in many biological processes including cell-cell junction formation, and is of great importance in both normal cell functions and disease-related processes [1,3,5,6,7]. Genetic models, like KO/CKO mouse models, can potentially be used to further explore its functions.

In melanoma, overexpression of SH3BP1 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro by increasing Rac1 activity and Wave2 protein levels, and facilitated melanoma progression in vivo by upregulating Wave2 protein expression, suggesting it promotes melanoma progression through the Rac1/Wave2 signaling pathway [1]. In acute myeloid leukemia, elevated SH3BP1 expression was associated with poor prognosis, and higher expression was an independent prognostic predictor. Down-regulation of its expression inhibited AML cell proliferation [2]. In cervical cancer, SH3BP1 overexpression promoted cell invasion, migration, and chemoresistance to cisplatin through increasing Rac1 activity and Wave2 protein level [3]. In chronic myeloid leukemia, Cobll1 preferentially binds to PACSIN2, releasing SH3BP1 to promote the SH3BP1/Rac1 pathway, suppress TKI-mediated apoptosis, and lead to TKI resistance [4]. In hepatocellular carcinoma, SH3BP1 overexpressed in HCC tissues and highly metastatic HCC cells, promoted VEGF secretion via Rac1-WAVE2 signaling, and contributed to tumor invasion, microvessel formation, metastasis, and recurrence [6].

In conclusion, SH3BP1 is essential in regulating cell motility through its impact on the Rac1/Wave2 pathway. Model-based research, such as studies on its over-or under-expression in various cell lines and in vivo models, has revealed its significant role in multiple cancer-related processes, including melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia, cervical cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, and hepatocellular carcinoma. These findings provide potential therapeutic targets for these diseases.