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MET Oncogene Controls Invasive Growth by Coupling with NMDA Receptor
Simona Gallo1,2, Annapia Vitacolonna1,2, Paolo Comoglio3
1Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Strada Provinciale 142, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.
Researchers found a link between MET and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in triple-negative breast cancer. Inhibiting NMDAR reduces the invasive growth driven by MET signaling, suggesting a new therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a glutamate-gated ion channel crucial for synaptic transmission.
- NMDARs are found outside the nervous system, including in invasive cancers like triple-negative breast carcinoma.
- MET, a receptor tyrosine kinase for HGF, regulates invasive growth and is implicated in breast cancer prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coexpression and functional interaction between NMDAR subunits and MET in triple-negative breast cancer.
- To determine if MET signaling influences NMDAR activity and vice versa in cancer cells.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the MET-NMDAR axis.
Main Methods:
- Co-immunoprecipitation and confocal immunofluorescence to assess protein association.
- Proximity ligation assays to confirm physical interaction between MET and NMDAR2B.
- Pharmacological inhibition of NMDAR using MK801 and ifenprodil to evaluate the biological response to HGF stimulation.
Main Results:
- NMDAR2B and MET proteins are coexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines.
- HGF stimulation leads to MET autophosphorylation and NMDAR2B phosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues.
- MET and phosphorylated NMDAR2B physically associate, and NMDAR inhibition blocks HGF-induced invasive responses.
Conclusions:
- A functional crosstalk exists between MET and NMDAR signaling pathways in triple-negative breast cancer.
- This MET-NMDAR interaction drives the invasive program in these cancer cells.
- Targeting this crosstalk offers a potential novel combinatorial therapeutic strategy for invasive breast carcinoma.
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