Quantification of integrin subunits on human prostatic cell lines--comparison of nontumorigenic and tumorigenic lines.
BACKGROUND
We set out to quantify integrin subunits on the surface of several prostate cell lines, including two nontumorigenic lines, in order to assess their role in tumorigenicity and metastasis.


METHODS
Flow cytometry was used to estimate the amounts of each subunit by changes in mean fluorescence intensity from control antibody. An in vitro Matrigel (Collaborative Biomedical Products, Bedford, MA) assay was used to determine invasiveness.


RESULTS
Profiles of each cell line were developed using the change in subunit mean fluorescence intensity normalized to the beta 1-subunit. The alpha 4-subunit is only expressed on nontumorigenic cells. These same cells were unable to invade Matrigel.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison of nontumorigenic and cancerous lines suggests that a loss of the alpha 4-subunit correlates with the acquisition of tumorigenicity and perhaps metastatic potential. The ability to quantify expression of integrin subunits on prostate cell lines allows the determination of regulation by factors responsible for growth, tumorigenicity, and/or metastasis.
Haywood-Reid
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PL
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92161-6002, USA.
Zipf
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DR
Springer
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WR
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D013539:Simian virus 40; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016023:Integrins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins