Down-regulation of integrin alpha2 surface expression by mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) induces aberrant cell spreading and focal adhesion formation

Elevated expression or activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in ovarian cancer and is associated with poor patient prognosis. A naturally occurring EGFR mutation termed variant III (EGFRvIII) has been detected in many human tumors, including those of the ovary. This mutant receptor does not bind EGF; however, it is constitutively active as detected by receptor dimerization, autophosphorylation, and stimulation of signal transduction cascades. To identify the consequences of EGFRvIII expression in ovarian tumor cells, we introduced EGFRvIII into the epithelial ovarian cancer cell line OVCA 433. The EGFRvIII-transfected cells displayed a motile phenotype, defects in cell spreading, and decreased integrin alpha2 protein expression as detected by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. Inhibition of EGFRvIII catalytic activity using the EGFR-selective tyrphostin AG1478 restored integrin alpha2 expression within 4 to 8 hours after treatment. The modulation of integrin alpha2 expression corresponded to marked changes in the actin cytoskeleton as detected by redistribution of filamentous-actin. Furthermore, focal adhesions were evident only when EGFRvIII activity was inhibited. Together, these findings suggest that expression of the constitutively active mutant EGFRvIII promotes changes in cell shape and focal adhesion formation, mediated in part through specific modulation of integrin alpha2 expression and function. We conclude that EGFR-activating mutations, such as EGFRvIII, in ovarian cancer may contribute to a more aggressive disease.