A variant actin (beta m) reduces metastasis of mouse B16 melanoma

We recently reported an acidic actin co-expressed with beta and gamma actin in mouse B16 melanoma, whose expression was inversely correlated with the metastatic potential. The cDNA for this actin is slightly different from the hitherto recognized mouse beta actin cDNA, and we designated it beta m actin. In order to directly investigate the effects of beta m actin on metastasis, we transfected the beta m actin cDNA into a re-cloned B16-BL6 cell line which is more invasive than the highly metastatic cell line, B16-F10; we have already reported the suppressive effect of beta m actin on the invasiveness of B16-F10. Here we report on the decline in the metastatic ability of beta m-transfected cells. In the beta m-transfected B16-BL6 cell line, we observed an increase in the organization of actin stress fibers, accompanied by a decrease in metastasis to the lung, in the invasion of collagen gels, in in vivo invasiveness, and in cell migration on a glass plate covered with colloidal gold particles. We observed no correlation of beta m actin expression either with cell attachment to Matrigel, or with type-IV collagenase expression. These results suggest that beta m actin can play a role in reducing the invasiveness of mouse B16 melanoma, most probably through decreasing cell motility, which may thus result in suppression of the metastatic ability of cells.