Modulation of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) expression in human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by the EGF and TGFbeta1 growth factors.
BACKGROUND
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a ubiquitously expressed protein kinase that has emerged as one of the points of convergence between integrin- and growth factor-signalling pathways.


RESULTS
In this study we identify the ILK isoform expressed in five human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of South African origin as ILK1, and demonstrate its cellular distribution. ILK expression, although similar in the majority of the cell lines, did show variation. Furthermore, the ILK expressed was shown to be catalytically functional. The effect of growth factors on ILK expression was examined. An increase in ILK expression, following EGF and TGFbeta1 exposure, was a trend across all the five oesophageal carcinoma cell lines tested.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that growth factor modulation of ILK expression relies on the internalisation/recycling of growth factor receptors and stimulation of the PI3K pathway, which may have implications with regards to cell adhesion and tumourigenesis.
Driver
Glenn A
GA
School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa.
Veale
Robin B
RB
School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa.