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FER promotes cell migration via regulating JNK activity

Ping Li1,2, Zhiwei Ma1,2, Yun Yu1,2

  • 1School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Cell Proliferation
|July 3, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fer protein tyrosine kinase promotes cancer cell migration by activating JNK signaling. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating cancer metastasis and recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cell migration is crucial in cancer metastasis, contributing to drug resistance and tumor recurrence.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic targets for cancer is essential for improving patient outcomes.
  • Fer, a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase, is frequently overexpressed in cancers, but its role in tumor progression is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Drosophila Fer (FER) in cell migration and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  • To explore the interaction between FER and Drosophila JNK (Bsk) signaling pathway.
  • To determine the conserved function of Fer in regulating JNK signaling in mammalian cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized transgenic flies and epigenetic analysis to study FER's function in cell migration.
  • Employed co-immunoprecipitation assays to examine the interaction between FER and Bsk.
  • Investigated the role of FER in JNK signaling in both Drosophila and mammalian cell models.

Main Results:

  • FER overexpression in Drosophila induced cell migration and activated JNK signaling.
  • FER directly interacted with and enhanced the activity of Bsk, a key component of the JNK pathway.
  • Loss of FER function inhibited JNK signaling and blocked cell migration.
  • FER's role in regulating JNK activity was conserved in mammalian cancer and non-cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • FER acts as a positive regulator of JNK-mediated cell migration.
  • FER represents a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting cancer metastasis.
Keywords:
Fer/FERJNK signallingcancer metastasiscell migration

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