Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Development of a Method for Identifying Small Molecular Antagonists of β2 Integrin Activation
04:15

Author Spotlight: Development of a Method for Identifying Small Molecular Antagonists of β2 Integrin Activation

Published on: February 2, 2024

2.3K

Integrin-independent support of cancer drug resistance by tetraspanin CD151

Soonyean Hwang1, Takayuki Takimoto1,2, Martin E Hemler3

  • 1Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Rm SM-520C, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|February 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Tetraspanin CD151 promotes cancer drug resistance independently of integrins. Ablating CD151 sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapy, increasing apoptosis and suggesting a new therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Tetraspanin CD151 is known to regulate integrin functions.
  • Its role in cancer drug resistance has not been fully elucidated, particularly independent of integrins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of CD151 in anti-cancer drug resistance.
  • To determine if CD151's function in drug resistance is dependent on integrin interactions.

Main Methods:

  • CD151 ablation in multiple tumor cell types.
  • Treatment with anti-cancer drugs (gefitinib, camptothecin).
  • Apoptosis assays including cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, annexin V, and propidium iodide staining.
  • Analysis of integrin-dependent and -independent CD151 functions using integrin-deficient cells and CD151 mutants.

Main Results:

  • CD151 ablation sensitized tumor cells to multiple anti-cancer drugs, increasing apoptosis.
  • This drug sensitization was independent of integrin engagement or ablation.
  • A CD151 mutant with diminished integrin association retained the ability to confer drug protection.
  • Anti-cancer drug treatment upregulated intracellular nonintegrin-associated CD151 (NIA-CD151).

Conclusions:

  • CD151 plays a significant role in supporting anti-cancer drug resistance through an integrin-independent mechanism.
  • Upregulated CD151 may enhance the survival of circulating and metastatic cancer cells during therapy.
  • Targeting CD151 could be a strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ApoptosisCD151Drug resistanceIntegrins

More Related Videos

Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models09:58

Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models

Published on: December 9, 2016

14.3K
Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms08:46

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

11.1K

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,...
5.4K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.7K
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...
5.1K
Introduction to Test of Independence01:21

Introduction to Test of Independence

In statistics, the term independence means that one can directly obtain the probability of any event involving both variables by multiplying their individual probabilities. Tests of independence are chi-square tests involving the use of a contingency table of observed (data) values.
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:
3.0K
Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence01:16

Hypothesis Test for Test of Independence

The test of independence is a chi-square-based test used to determine whether two variables or factors are independent or dependent. This hypothesis test is used to examine the independence of the variables. One can construct two qualitative survey questions or experiments based on the variables in a contingency table. The goal is to see if the two variables are unrelated (independent) or related (dependent). The null and alternative hypotheses for this test are:
H0: The two variables (factors)...
8.1K
Self-Help Support Groups01:28

Self-Help Support Groups

Self-help support groups are voluntary, community-based organizations that provide a platform for individuals with shared concerns to exchange support, insights, and practical strategies for coping with life challenges. Typically led by group members or paraprofessionals, these groups form a cornerstone of mental health care, especially in reaching populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
336