The actin-bundling protein fascin is overexpressed in colorectal adenomas and promotes motility in adenoma cells in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Fascin is overexpressed in many cancers, including colorectal, but its role in the malignant transformation of benign colorectal adenomas is unclear.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis of fascin expression was carried out in resected human colorectal adenoma specimens. The effects of forced overexpression of fascin on adenoma cell motility were also analysed.


RESULTS
We show fascin overexpression in adenomas increasing with tumour size, histological type, and degree of dysplasia and increased cell motility in adenoma cell lines following fascin transfection.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest an important role for fascin in the malignant progression of colorectal tumours.
Qualtrough
D
D
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK. david.qualtrough@bristol.ac.uk
Singh
K
K
Banu
N
N
Paraskeva
C
C
Pignatelli
M
M
D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C502658:FSCN1 protein, human; D008840:Microfilament Proteins