Increased expression of both insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 confers increased sensitivity to IGF-1 stimulated cell migration.
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are thought to promote tumour progression and metastasis in part by stimulating cell migration. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2 are multisite docking proteins positioned immediately downstream from the type I IGF and insulin receptors. IRS-2 but not IRS-1 has been reported to be involved in the migratory response of breast cancer cells to IGFs. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if IRS-1 is involved in, and to assess the contributions of IRS-1 and IRS-2 to, the migratory response of breast cancer cells to IGFs. The expression of IRS-1 and IRS-2 varied considerably between ten breast cancer cell lines. Oestrogen increases expression of the type I IGF receptor, IRS-1 and IRS-2 in MCF-7 and ZR-75 cells. Oestrogens may control the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to IGFs by regulating the expression of components of the IGF signal transduction pathway. The migratory response to a range of IGF-1 concentrations was measured in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in which IRS-1 and IRS-2 levels were modulated using a doxycycline-inducible expression system. Induction of both IRS-1 and IRS-2 expression increased the sensitivity of the migratory response to IGF-1 but did not increase the magnitude of the response stimulated at higher concentrations of IGF-1. Knockdown of IRS-1, IRS-2 and the type I IGF receptor in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-2231 cells decreased sensitivity to IGF-1. We conclude that both IRS-1 and IRS-2 control the migratory response of breast cancer cells to IGF-1 and may, therefore, be key molecules in determining breast cancer spread.
de Blaquière
Gail E
GE
The Medical School, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
May
Felicity E B
FE
Westley
Bruce R
BR
D015153:Blotting, Western; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D055504:Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004967:Estrogens; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C526292:IRS1 protein, human; C526297:IRS2 protein, human; D007328:Insulin; D055504:Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I