Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Membrane fluidity and cancer metastasis.

G V Sherbet1

  • 1Cancer Research Unit, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Experimental Cell Biology
|January 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Tumor cell membrane fluidity, particularly cholesterol and phospholipid content, influences metastatic potential. While bulk fluidity shows minor changes, specific lipid compositions and membrane domains may play a role in cancer metastasis.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Metastasis Promoter S100A4 is a Potential Molecular Therapeutic Target.

Cancer genomics & proteomics·2019
Same author

Stathmin in Cell Proliferation and Cancer Progression.

Cancer genomics & proteomics·2019
Same author

Suppression of angiogenesis and tumour progression by combretastatin and derivatives.

Cancer letters·2017
Same author

Therapeutic approach to the management of HER2-positive breast cancer metastatic to the brain.

Cancer letters·2014
Same author

Metastasis promoter S100A4 is a potentially valuable molecular target for cancer therapy.

Cancer letters·2008
Same author

Hormonal influences on cancer progression and prognosis.

Vitamins and hormones·2005

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Membrane fluidity is a critical factor in cell function.
  • Understanding membrane properties of cancer cells is key to targeting metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between membrane fluidity and metastatic potential in murine melanoma and lymphoma variants.
  • To explore specific lipid compositions and their correlation with cancer cell invasiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Lectin receptor-mediated agglutination studies to assess membrane protein mobility.
  • Analysis of cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and unsaturated phospholipid content.
  • Partitioning in aqueous two-polymer phases.
  • Steady-state fluorescence polarization to measure lipid order and motion.

Main Results:

  • Lectin studies suggested higher lateral mobility in metastatic cells, but evidence for increased bulk fluidity was not conclusive.
  • Metastatic variants exhibited a lower cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and higher unsaturated phospholipid content.
  • Steady-state fluorescence polarization did not reveal significant differences in bulk membrane fluidity.
  • Transbilayer fluidity differences and membrane domain microviscosity variations were noted.

Conclusions:

  • While bulk membrane fluidity may not be the primary determinant, specific lipid compositions (lower cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, higher unsaturated phospholipids) are associated with higher metastatic potential.
  • Heterogeneity in membrane microviscosity (mosaicism) and transbilayer fluidity differences may influence membrane-associated enzyme activity and contribute to cancer cell metastasis.

Related Experiment Videos