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Increased beta-actin expression in an invasive moloney sarcoma virus-transformed MDCK cell variant concentrates to
P U Le1, T N Nguyen, P Drolet-Savoie
1Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Abstract:
An invasive variant of Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed MDCK cells (MSV-MDCK-INV), which was isolated by the repeated selection of cells that successfully traversed a Matrigel-coated filter, exhibits increased motile ability and presents an elongated cell shape and numerous pseudopodia. Although stress fibers are present in both MDCK and MSV-MDCK cells, MSV-MDCK-INV cells contain no stress fibers and exhibit a dense concentration of actin at the tips of pseudopodia. Relative to both MDCK and MSV-MDCK cells, the MSV-MDCK-INV cells exhibit increased expression of beta-actin and redistribution of beta-actin to the tips of pseudopodia. These actin concentrations are enriched in both F- and G-actin and, thus, represent dynamic regions of actin cytoskeleton remodeling. The acquisition of invasive properties by epithelial transformants is, therefore, associated with the increased expression of beta-actin and its concentration in actin-rich domains, which may drive pseudopodial extension and facilitate tumor cell invasion.
Insights
Invasive epithelial cells show increased beta-actin expression and concentration at pseudopodia tips. This actin remodeling drives cell motility and facilitates tumor cell invasion.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epithelial cells can acquire invasive properties through transformation.
- Cell motility and shape changes are crucial for invasion.
- Actin cytoskeleton dynamics play a key role in cell movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and molecular changes associated with the acquisition of invasive properties in epithelial cells.
- To identify the role of beta-actin in the enhanced motility of invasive cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of an invasive cell variant (MSV-MDCK-INV) from Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed MDCK cells.
- Comparative analysis of actin cytoskeleton organization, cell shape, and motility between invasive and non-invasive cells.
- Quantification of beta-actin expression and localization.
Main Results:
- MSV-MDCK-INV cells exhibited increased motility, elongated shape, and numerous pseudopodia compared to parental cells.
- Invasive cells lacked stress fibers and showed dense actin concentrations at pseudopodia tips.
- Increased beta-actin expression and its redistribution to pseudopodia tips were observed in invasive cells.
- These actin-rich domains were dynamic, indicating active cytoskeleton remodeling.
Conclusions:
- Acquisition of invasive properties in epithelial transformants is linked to elevated beta-actin expression.
- Concentration of beta-actin in dynamic actin-rich domains at pseudopodia drives cell invasion.
- Targeting beta-actin dynamics may offer a strategy to inhibit tumor cell invasion.