Autocrine motility factor and its receptor: role in cell locomotion and metastasis

The ability to locomote and migrate is fundamental to the acquisition of invasive and metastatic properties by tumor cells. Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is a 55 kD cytokine produced by various tumor cells which stimulates their in vitro motility and in vivo lung colonizing ability. AMF stimulates cell motility via a receptor-mediated signalling pathway. Signal transduction following binding of AMF to its receptor, a cell surface glycoprotein of 78 kD (gp78) homologous to p53, is mediated by a pertussis toxin sensitive G protein, inositol phosphate production and the phosphorylation of gp78. Cell surface gp78 is localized to the leading and trailing edges of motile cells but following cell permeabilization is found within an extended network of intracellular tubulovesicles. Gp78 tubulovesicles colocalize with microtubules and extension of the tubulovesicular network to the cell periphery is dependent on the presence of intact microtubules. Gp78 labeled vesicles can be induced to translocate between the cell center and periphery by altering intracellular pH as previously described for tubulovesicles labeled by fluid phase uptake. Anti-gp78 mAb added to viable motile cells is localized to large multivesicular bodies which, with time, relocate to the leading edge. Binding of AMF to its receptor induces signal transduction, similar to chemotactic stimulation of neutrophil mobility, as well as the internalization and transport of its receptor to the leading edge stimulating pseudopodial protrusion and cell motility.