[Role of WAVE1 in K562 leukemia cells invasion and its mechanism]

To investigate role of WASP family verprolin homologous protein 1 (WAVE1) in K562 leukemia cell invasion and its mechanism.

Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the distribution of WAVE1 and MMP-2 in the cells. K562 cells were transfected with pcDNA3. 1-WAVE1 reconstructed plasmid or with specific siRNA to WAVE1 gene. The invasion ability of K562 cells was examined by Transwell assay. The expression level of WAVE1 and MMP-2 in K562 cells was assayed by real-time PCR and Western blot.

(1) WAVE1 and MMP-2 mainly expressed and co-localized in the cell membrane; (2) 24 h and 48 h after transfected with pcDNA3. 1-WAVE1, the MMP-2 mRNA level in K562 cells increased by 295% and 198% while its protein increased by 80% and 23% respectively as compared with control K562 cells. At the same time point after transfected with specific siRNA, the MMP-2 mRNA level decreased by 81% and 28%, and its protein decreased by 36% and 53% respectively as compared with control. (3) The invasion ability of K562 cells was enhanced after transfected with pcDNA3. 1-WAVE1 and depressed after transfected with the specific siRNA.

The co-localization of WAVE1 and MMP-2 in K562 cells suggests they coordinate in functions; WAVE1 may involve in the migration and invasion of K562 cells through regulating the expression level of MMP-2.