Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Determining Optimal Cytotoxic Activity of Human Her2neu Specific CD8 T cells by Comparing the Cr51 Release Assay to the xCELLigence System
11:31

Determining Optimal Cytotoxic Activity of Human Her2neu Specific CD8 T cells by Comparing the Cr51 Release Assay to the xCELLigence System

Published on: August 8, 2012

Changes in integrin receptors on oncogenically transformed cells

L C Plantefaber1, R O Hynes

  • 1Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.

Cell
|January 27, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Oncogenic transformation reduces key fibronectin receptors (integrin alpha 5 beta 1) on cells, impacting their adhesion. This explains altered tumor cell behavior and extracellular matrix interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Oncogenic transformation alters cell behavior, including extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions.
  • Reduced fibronectin matrix assembly and cell adhesion are observed in transformed cells.
  • The underlying molecular mechanisms for these changes remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate alterations in integrin expression during oncogenic transformation.
  • To identify specific fibronectin receptors affected by oncogenic transformation.
  • To elucidate the molecular basis for diminished cell adhesion in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized rodent cell lines (rat1, NRK, Nil8) for transformation studies.
  • Employed Rous sarcoma virus and ras oncogenes for cellular transformation.
  • Analyzed changes in integrin receptor expression using biochemical and molecular techniques.

Main Results:

  • Oncogenic transformation led to decreased levels of integrin alpha 5 beta 1, a primary fibronectin receptor.
  • Expression of two additional integrin receptors was also reduced post-transformation.
  • Integrin alpha 3 beta 1, a polyspecific receptor, remained expressed in transformed cells.

Conclusions:

  • Alterations in integrin expression, particularly the reduction of alpha 5 beta 1, explain reduced fibronectin adhesion in transformed cells.
  • These findings provide molecular insights into the altered adhesive and migratory properties of malignant cells.
  • The study offers a basis for understanding tumor cell interactions with the extracellular matrix.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Tumor-infiltrating Leukocyte Subsets in a Subcutaneous Tumor Model07:49

Evaluation of Tumor-infiltrating Leukocyte Subsets in a Subcutaneous Tumor Model

Published on: April 13, 2015

A 3D Spheroid Model as a More Physiological System for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Differentiation and Invasion In Vitro Studies06:27

A 3D Spheroid Model as a More Physiological System for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Differentiation and Invasion In Vitro Studies

Published on: August 8, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Integrins01:10

Integrins

Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins01:15

Activation of Integrins

Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...