Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2026

RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: March 12, 2014
Motility-related proteins as markers for head and neck squamous cell cancer
M T Abraham1, M A Kuriakose, P G Sacks
1Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Hypothesis:
Increased cell motility is a hallmark of cancer cells. Proteins involved in cell motility may be used as molecular markers to characterize the malignant potential of tumors.
Methods:
Molecular biology and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to investigate the expression of a selected panel of motility-related proteins (Rho A, Rac 2, Cdc42, PI3K, 2E4, and Arp2) in normal, premalignant, and squamous cell cancer cell lines of human head and neck origin. To assess the clinical potential of these proteins as molecular markers for cancer, immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-fixed head and neck cancer specimens (n = 15).
Results:
All six motility-associated proteins were overexpressed in the premalignant and squamous cell cancer cell lines relative to normal keratinocytes. Immunohistochemistry with Rho A and Rac 2 showed increased staining in areas of cancer but not in normal tissue.
Conclusion:
Proteins involved in cell motility can be used as markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The head and neck cell lines used in this study may be used as a model to further investigate cell motility. Molecular markers of motility could have a significant impact on the diagnosis and staging of cancers originating from differentiated non-motile cells.
More Related Videos
11:28Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
07:29Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Cell Migration
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration