Integrin alpha 6 beta 4 promotes migration, invasion through Tiam1 upregulation, and subsequent Rac activation.

ABSTRACT: The lethality of pancreatic adenocarcinoma stems from an elevated incidence of tumor cell invasion and metastasis that are mediated by mechanisms not yet understood. Recent studies indicate that the proinvasive integrin alpha 6 beta 4 is highly upregulated in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. To assess the importance of this integrin in pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion, cell lines were screened for integrin alpha 6 beta 4 expression by immunoblotting and fluorescence-activated cell sorting and their ability to migrate and invade toward hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We found that cell surface expression of the alpha 6 beta 4 integrin correlated with the cells' ability to migrate and invade toward HGF. When cells expressing high levels of integrin alpha 6 beta 4 were treated with sm

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Monserrate Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2373869 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature