ERK activation of p21 activated kinase-1 (Pak1) is critical for medulloblastoma cell migration.

ABSTRACT: We previously identified that overexpression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) is associated with metastatic medulloblastoma (MB) and showed that PDGF treatment increases ERK activity and promotes MB cell migration. In this study, we investigated whether ERK regulates Rac1/Pak1 signaling and is critically linked to MB cell migration. Herein we demonstrate that PDGF-BB treatment of MB cells induces concomitant activation of PDGFRβ, MEK1/ERK, Rac1 and Pak1, but suppresses Rho activity, which together significantly promotes cell migration. Conversely, cells transfected with either PDGFRβ or Pak1 siRNA or treated with an inhibitor of Rac1 (NSC23766) or N-myristoyltransferase-1 (Tris-dipalladium) are unable to activate Rac1 or Pak1 in response to PDGF, and consequently, are

SUBMITTER: Yuan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2954413 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature