title: Simultaneous loss of the DLC1 and PTEN tumor suppressors enhances breast cancer cell migration.
abstract: The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene is a tumor suppressor frequently deleted or mutated in sporadic tumors of the breast, prostate, endometrium and brain. The protein acts as a dual specificity phosphatase for lipids and proteins. PTEN loss confers a growth advantage to cells, protects from apoptosis and favors cell migration. The deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) gene has emerged as a novel tumor suppressor downregulated in a variety of tumor types including those of the breast. DLC1 contains a Rho GTPase activating domain that is involved in the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion. To investigate how simultaneous loss of PTEN and DLC1 contributes to cell transformation, we downregulated both proteins by RNA interference in the non-invasive MCF7 breast carcinoma cell line. Joint depletion of PTEN and DLC1 resulted in enhanced cell migration in wounding and chemotactic transwell assays. Interestingly, both proteins were found to colocalize at the plasma membrane and interacted physically in biochemical pulldowns and coimmunoprecipitations. We therefore postulate that the concerted local inactivation of signaling pathways downstream of PTEN and DLC1, respectively, is required for the tight control of cell migration.
authors.affiliation: University of Stuttgart, Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, Allmandring 31, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heering
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erlmann
authors.forename: Monilola A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Olayioye
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000080865:Formins; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C108962:DIAPH1 protein, human; C112352:DLC1 protein, human; D000080865:Formins; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; C496050:PTK2 protein, human; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human