title: Diacylglycerol kinase is required for HGF-induced invasiveness and anchorage-independent growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers have a worse prognosis than ER-positive cancers, being more aggressive and overexposed to stimuli leading to their progression. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been associated with proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells, and several tumors, including those of breast cancer, produce HGF and overexpress its receptor. Diacylglycerol kinases (Dgks), which phosphorylate diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid, are key regulators of cell signaling. Our research was focused on their role in HGF-induced invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, a model of ER-negative breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dgk activity was evaluated with a kinase assay, MDA-MB-231 cell invasion via culturing of cells in matrigel-coated transwells, and anchorage-independent growth was assessed using a soft agar assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HGF induces Dgk activation in MDA-MB-231 cells that is required for cell invasiveness. Moreover, Dgks are involved in MDA-MB-231 anchorage-independent growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dgks could be a target for ER-negative breast cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy. nicoletta.filigheddu@med.unipmn.it
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Filigheddu
authors.forename: Santina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cutrupi
authors.forename: Paolo Ettore
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Porporato
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riboni
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baldanzi
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chianale
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fortina
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piantanida
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Bortoli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Graziani
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Surico
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D019852:Diacylglycerol Kinase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019852:Diacylglycerol Kinase