A Mena Invasion Isoform Potentiates EGF-Induced Carcinoma Cell Invasion and Metastasis

Ulrike Philippar, Evanthia T. Roussos, Matthew Oser, Hideki Yamaguchi, Hyung Do Kim, Silvia Giampieri, Yarong Wang, Sumanta Goswami, Jeffrey B. Wyckoff, Douglas A. Lauffenburger, Erik Sahai, John S. Condeelis, Frank B. Gertler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

205 Scopus citations

Abstract

The spread of cancer during metastatic disease requires that tumor cells subvert normal regulatory networks governing cell motility to invade surrounding tissues and migrate toward blood and lymphatic vessels. Enabled (Ena)/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) proteins regulate cell motility by controlling the geometry of assembling actin networks. Mena, an Ena/VASP protein, is upregulated in the invasive subpopulation of breast cancer cells. In addition, Mena is alternately spliced to produce an invasion isoform, MenaINV. Here we show that Mena and MenaINV promote carcinoma cell motility and invasiveness in vivo and in vitro, and increase lung metastasis. Mena and MenaINV potentiate epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced membrane protrusion and increase the matrix degradation activity of tumor cells. Interestingly, MenaINV is significantly more effective than Mena in driving metastases and sensitizing cells to EGF-dependent invasion and protrusion. Upregulation of MenaINV could therefore enable tumor cells to invade in response to otherwise benign EGF stimulus levels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)813-828
Number of pages16
JournalDevelopmental Cell
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 9 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CELLBIO
  • HUMDISEASE
  • SIGNALING

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Mena Invasion Isoform Potentiates EGF-Induced Carcinoma Cell Invasion and Metastasis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this