title: Notch-mediated induction of N-cadherin and α9-integrin confers higher invasive phenotype on rhabdomyosarcoma cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the commonest type of soft-tissue sarcoma in children. Patients with metastatic RMS continue to have very poor prognosis. Recently, several works have demonstrated a connection between Notch pathway activation and the regulation of cell motility and invasiveness. However, the molecular mechanisms of this possible relationship remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Notch pathway was manipulated pharmacologically and genetically. The mRNA changes were analysed by quantitative PCR and protein variations by western blot and immunofluorescence. Finally, the capabilities of RMS cells to adhere, heal a wound and invade were assessed in the presence of neuronal cadherin (N-cadherin)- and α9-integrin-blocking antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cells treated with γ-secretase inhibitor showed lower adhesion capability and downregulation of N-cadherin and α9-integrin. Genetic manipulation of the Notch pathway led to concomitant variations in N-cadherin and α9-integrin. Treatment with anti-N-cadherin-blocking antibody rendered marked inhibition of cell adhesion and motility, while anti-α9-integrin-blocking antibody exerted a remarkable effect on cell adhesion and invasiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuronal cadherin and α9-integrin are postulated as leading actors in the association between the Notch pathway and promotion of cell adhesion, motility and invasion, pointing to these proteins and the Notch pathway itself as interesting putative targets for new molecular therapies against metastases in RMS.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit in Biomedicine and Translational and Pediatric Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masià
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almazán-Moga
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reventós
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torán
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez de Toledo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallego
mesh_terms: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000235:genetics*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D015820:Cadherins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D016023:Integrins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1; C541973:ITGA9 protein, human; C078493:HES1 protein, human