Transglutaminase activity and putrescine-binding capacity in cloned cell lines with different metastatic potential

An inverse correlation was found between cellular transglutaminase activity and metastatic potential of four cloned cell lines derived from a primary nickel-induced rat rhabdomyosarcoma. Cellular transglutaminase activity as assessed with endogenous cellular protein or exogenous methylated casein was greatest in the clone F9-4/8 which is the least metastasizing. When the putrescine-binding capacity of one cellular derived protein - fibronectin - was examined with exogenous transglutaminase, it was found that the fibronectin derived from the clone F9-4/8 showed the lowest binding capacity compared with those from the other clones. However, when the overall binding capacity of cellular proteins from each cell line was examined no differences could be detected. The results are discussed in the light of the well-known role of fibronectin in cellular adhesion.