Increased ROS alters E-/N-cadherin levels and promotes migration in prostate cancer cells

Increased ROS has been reported to cause a change in E- and N-cadherin levels, and consequently promotes migrative behaviors in pancreas and breast cancer cells. In this study, the effect of a sublethal dose of H2O2 on E- and N-cadherin levels, and on migrative behaviors of PCa cells was investigated.

To determine a sublethal concentration of H2O2 on cell proliferation and ROS production were examined using WST-1 and DCFH-DA assays, respectively. E- and N-cadherin protein and mRNA levels were investigated by western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. The migrative potentials of the cells were examined by Cytoselect 96-well cell migration assay.

Treatment of the PCa cells with a sublethal dose of H2O2 results in a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in N-cadherin levels, at both mRNA and protein levels. However, inhibition of ERK using PD98059 abolishes the effects of H2O2. In addition, the cells that were treated with H2O2 have gained further migrative abilities compared to control cells, and this ability was repressed when PD98059 was used together with H2O2.

Increased ROS alters E- and N-cadherin levels in an ERK-dependent manner and thereby promotes the migrative abilities of PCa cells (Fig. 3, Ref. 32).