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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Tetraspanin CD151 regulates transforming growth factor beta signaling: implication in tumor metastasis

Rafal Sadej1, Hanna Romanska, Dean Kavanagh

  • 1Department of Pathology, School of Cancer Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Cancer Research
|June 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Tetraspanin CD151 regulates transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) signaling, controlling breast cancer cell scattering and proliferation. Its depletion inhibits TGFβ1-induced metastasis, highlighting its role in tumor cell invasion.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Tetraspanin CD151 is implicated in tumor cell migration and invasion.
  • CD151 associates with laminin-binding integrins, influencing cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of CD151 in transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1)-induced breast cancer cell behavior.
  • To elucidate the specific signaling pathways regulated by CD151 in response to TGFβ1.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of breast cancer cell responses to TGFβ1 with and without CD151.
  • Assessment of integrin associations and receptor compartmentalization.
  • Evaluation of downstream signaling pathway activation (p38, Smad2/3, c-Akt, Erk1/2).
  • In vivo metastasis assays in a mouse model.

Main Results:

  • CD151 depletion specifically attenuated TGFβ1-induced scattering and proliferation of breast cancer cells in 3D Matrigel.
  • CD151-dependent scattering required association with α3β1 or α6 integrins.
  • CD151 regulated TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI/ALK-5) compartmentalization and specifically controlled TGFβ1-induced p38 activation.
  • Signaling pathways Smad2/3, c-Akt, and Erk1/2 activation were comparable in CD151-positive and -negative cells.
  • Reduced CD151 levels correlated with decreased lung metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • CD151 acts as a positive regulator of TGFβ1-initiated signaling in breast cancer.
  • CD151 plays a critical role in TGFβ1-induced breast cancer cell metastasis to the lungs.

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