Bcl-w promotes gastric cancer cell invasion by inducing matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression via phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Akt, and Sp1.
Given a previous report that Bcl-w is expressed in gastric cancer cells, particularly in those of an infiltrative morphology, we investigated whether Bcl-w expression influences the invasiveness of gastric cancer cells. To accomplish this, Bcl-w was overexpressed in adherent types of gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines, and this was found to result in an increase in their migratory and invasive potentials. These effects were not induced when Bcl-2 was overexpressed in the same cell types. Consistently, Bcl-w, but not Bcl-2, overexpression increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression, and synthetic or natural inhibitors of MMP-2 abolished Bcl-w-induced cell invasion. Bcl-w overexpression also activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and Sp1, and the blocking effects of each of these components using pharmacologic inhibitors, dominant-negative mutants, or small interfering RNA abolished the ability of Bcl-w to induce MMP-2 and cell invasion. The inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling also prevented Sp1 activation. Overall, our data suggest that Bcl-w, which was previously shown to enhance gastric cancer cell survivability, also promotes their invasiveness by inducing MMP-2 expression via the sequential actions of PI3K, Akt, and Sp1.
Bae
In Hwa
IH
Laboratory of Radiation Tumor Physiology, Functional Genomics, and Experimental Pathology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Myung-Jin
MJ
Yoon
Sung Hwan
SH
Kang
Sung Wook
SW
Lee
Seung-Sook
SS
Choi
Kyung-Mi
KM
Um
Hong-Duck
HD
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014162:Transfection
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491073:BCL2L2 protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2