title: Invasion of breast cancer cells into collagen matrix requires TGF-α and Cdc42 signaling.
abstract: Invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells into three-dimensional (3-D) type I-collagen matrices depends on TGF-α. We characterized the steps of invasion mediated by TGF-α. Cell migration, as observed by videomicroscopy, was effectively stimulated by collagen, suggesting that TGF-α may specifically participate in the invasion of a 3-D collagen matrix. We assessed the role of small GTPases of the Rho family in the invasion. Cdc42 was found to be necessary for invasion but dispensable for cell migration. These results suggest that TGF-α mediates invasion into 3-D collagen matrices by initiating the formation of protrusions into collagen, likely through activation of Cdc42.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Cell Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. kei@gancen.asahi.yokohama.jp
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Xiaohan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D022081:Cell Surface Extensions / Q000502:physiology; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein