title: DU-145 prostate carcinoma cells that selectively transmigrate narrow obstacles express elevated levels of Cx43.
abstract: The formation of aqueous intercellular channels mediating gap junctional intercellular coupling (GJIC) is a canonical function of connexins (Cx). In contrast, mechanisms of GJIC-independent involvement of connexins in cancer formation and metastasis remain a matter of debate. Because of the role of Cx43 in the determination of carcinoma cell invasive potential, we addressed the problem of the possible Cx43 involvement in early prostate cancer invasion. For this purpose, we analysed Cx43-positive DU-145 cell subsets established from the progenies of the cells most readily transmigrating microporous membranes. These progenies displayed motile activity similar to the control DU-145 cells but were characterized by elevated Cx43 expression levels and GJIC intensity. Thus, apparent links exist between Cx43 expression and transmigration potential of DU-145 cells. Moreover, Cx43 expression profiles in the analysed DU-145 subsets were not affected by intercellular contacts and chemical inhibition of GJIC during the transmigration. Our observations indicate that neither cell motility nor GJIC determines the transmigration efficiency of DU-145 cells. However, we postulate that selective transmigration of prostate cancer cells expressing elevated levels of Cx43 expression may be crucial for the "leading front" formation during cancer invasion.
authors: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Cracow, Poland.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Szpak
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Wybieralska
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Niedziałkowska
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Rak
authors: Iga
authors: I
authors: Bechyne
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Michalik
authors: Zbigniew
authors: Z
authors: Madeja
authors: Jarosław
authors: J
authors: Czyż
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016062:Porosity; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D057705:Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid