CRB3A Controls the Morphology and Cohesion of Cancer Cells through Ehm2/p114RhoGEF-Dependent Signaling.

ABSTRACT: The transmembrane protein CRB3A controls epithelial cell polarization. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of CRB3A function is essential as this protein prevents the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to tumor progression. To investigate the functional impact of altered CRB3A expression in cancer cells, we expressed CRB3A in HeLa cells, which are devoid of endogenous CRB3A. While control HeLa cells display a patchy F-actin distribution, CRB3A-expressing cells form a circumferential actomyosin belt. This reorganization of the cytoskeleton is accompanied by a transition from an ameboid cell shape to an epithelial-cell-like morphology. In addition, CRB3A increases the cohesion of HeLa cells. To perform these functions, CRB3A recruits p114RhoGEF and its activator E

SUBMITTER: Loie E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4561736 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature