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A soluble truncated cadherin induces breast cancer cell apoptosis and growth inhibition

Xiao-Yu Shi1, He Lu, Wen-Lin Li

  • 1INSERM, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, U553, Université Paris 7, 75010 Paris, France.

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|June 10, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A soluble truncated cadherin (CED1-4) acts as an effective apoptotic inducer and growth inhibitor in breast cancer cells. This molecule down-regulates integrin beta1 and blocks c-fos expression, contributing to its anti-cancer effects.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Vascular Endothelial Cadherin (VE-cadherin) plays a crucial role in endothelial cell-cell adhesion.
  • Truncated forms of cadherins may possess novel biological functions.
  • Understanding the characteristics of soluble cadherin fragments is important for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a soluble truncated cadherin fragment (CED1-4) containing VE-cadherin extracellular domain repeats 1-4 and a signal peptide.
  • To investigate the functional role of CED1-4 as a soluble molecule in breast cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a pMSCV/CED1-4 retroviral vector.
  • Transfection of MDA-MB435 human breast cancer cells with ReCED1-4 or ReEmpty retroviruses.
  • Analysis of CED1-4 expression using RT-PCR and Western blot.
  • In vitro and in vivo proliferation assays.
  • Apoptosis assays (Annexin V, TUNEL, caspase 3).
  • Detection of integrin beta1 and c-fos mRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Soluble CED1-4 (484 amino acids including a 27-amino acid signal peptide) was successfully expressed and secreted by MDA-MB435 cells.
  • CED1-4 significantly inhibited MDA-MB435 cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.
  • CED1-4 induced a significant increase in apoptosis, with a 22-fold rise in early apoptotic cells and a twofold increase in caspase 3 activity.
  • Down-regulation of integrin beta1 and blockage of c-fos mRNA expression were observed in CED1-4 transfected cells.

Conclusions:

  • Soluble truncated cadherin CED1-4 functions as an apoptotic inducer and growth inhibitor in the MDA-MB435 breast carcinoma cell line.
  • The observed anti-cancer effects of CED1-4 are potentially mediated by the down-regulation of integrin beta1 and the blockage of c-fos expression.

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