Tumor-associated mutations of the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin (Ecad) are frequently found in about 50% of diffuse-type gastric carcinomas in exon 8 and 9 of the Ecad gene. In previous studies, cells transfected with three different Ecad mutations were characterized by enhanced motility compared to wildtype (wt) Ecad expressing cells. The aims of the present study were the investigation of individual cell motility after establishment of a motility-assay, identification of motility-associated signalling pathways and investigation of the mutant Ecad localisation during cell motility after establishing EGFP-tagged Ecad expressing cells. Cells expressing mutant Ecad were characterized by enhanced cell speeds and reduced cell-cell contacts. After application of pharmacological inhibitors it was shown by functional and molecular biological assays that the EGF receptor and PI3-kinase are involved in enhanced cell motility. Furthermore, the localisation of the small RhoGTPase Rac1 is influenced by the E-cadherin status. During cell movement the localisation of mutant Ecad compared to wt-Ecad was dependent on application of pharmacological inhibitors.
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Tumor-associated mutations of the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin (Ecad) are frequently found in about 50% of diffuse-type gastric carcinomas in exon 8 and 9 of the Ecad gene. In previous studies, cells transfected with three different Ecad mutations were characterized by enhanced motility compared to wildtype (wt) Ecad expressing cells. The aims of the present study were the investigation of individual cell motility after establishment of a motility-assay, identification of motility-associate...
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