The role of actinin-4 in bladder cancer invasion.
OBJECTIVE
To examine actinin-4 expression levels in bladder cancer, in particular its levels during cellular growth and invasion. Actinin-4 is an actin-binding protein that is associated with cell motility and cancer metastasis.


METHODS
Relative messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of actinin-4 in normal bladder and bladder cancer cell lines was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Actinin-4 expression was also localized in bladder cancer cells and tissues using immunohistochemistry. The growth and invasion activity of bladder cancer cells was evaluated using cell growth and in vitro cell invasion assays, and compared with that of bladder cancer cells treated with actinin-4 small interfering ribonucleic acids.


RESULTS
Actinin-4 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in bladder cancer cells that are known to exhibit increased growth and invasion activity. Protein expression was predominantly observed in the cytoplasm of the invasive bladder cancer cells and tissues. Treatment of bladder cancer cell lines with actinin-4 small interfering ribonucleic acids suppressed the invasive potential of the cells, but did not alter their growth.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrates that actinin-4 mRNA and protein levels are elevated in bladder cancer cells lines that exhibit increased growth and invasion activity. In addition, actinin-4 knockdown inhibited invasion of bladder cancer cells, but did not alter their growth. In conclusion, we hypothesize that the accumulation of actinin-4 in the cell cytoplasm is related to an increased susceptibility of tumor invasion and metastasis.
Koizumi
Takahiro
T
Department of Urology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
Nakatsuji
Hiroyoshi
H
Fukawa
Tomoya
T
Avirmed
Shiirevnyamba
S
Fukumori
Tomoharu
T
Takahashi
Masayuki
M
Kanayama
Hiroomi
H
D000185:Actinin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
C111453:ACTN4 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000185:Actinin