RCP induces Slug expression and cancer cell invasion by stabilizing β1 integrin

Oncogene. 2017 Feb 23;36(8):1102-1111. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.277. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Abstract

Rab coupling protein (RCP)-induced tumor cell migration has been implicated in tumor pathophysiology and patient outcomes. In the present study, we demonstrate that RCP stabilizes β1 integrin leading to increased β1 integrin levels and activation of a signaling cascade culminating in Slug induction, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increased invasion. Ectopic expression of RCP induced Slug expression. Silencing β1 integrin efficiently inhibited RCP-induced Slug expression and subsequent cancer cell invasion. Conversely, ectopic expression of β1 integrin was sufficient to induce Slug expression. Pharmacological inhibition of integrin linked kinase (ILK), EGFR and NF-κB, as well as transfection of a dominant-negative mutant of Ras (RasN17), significantly inhibited RCP-induced Slug expression and cancer cell invasion. Strikingly, ectopic expression of RCP was sufficient to enhance metastasis of ovarian cancer cells to the lung. Collectively, we demonstrate a mechanism by which RCP promotes cancer cell aggressiveness through sequential β1 integrin stabilization, activation of an ILK/EGFR/Ras/NF-κB signaling cascade and subsequent Slug expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Integrin beta1 / genetics
  • Integrin beta1 / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Integrin beta1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RAB11FIP1 protein, human
  • SNAI1 protein, human
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors