N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖转移酶Ⅴ过表达对人肝癌细胞粘着斑复合物介导的信号转导作用

为了探讨过表达N 乙酰氨基葡萄糖转移酶Ⅴ (GnT Ⅴ )后 772 1细胞侵袭、迁移等行为改变的机制 ,检测了GnT Ⅴ 772 1及pcDNA3 772 1两组细胞中与恶性表型密切相关的粘着斑激酶 (focalad hesionkinase ,FAK)、PTEN蛋白、蛋白激酶B(PKB)等重要信号分子的表达水平 ,同时测定了 2组细胞非贴壁依赖生长的能力 .利用Western印迹方法检测FAK、PTEN、PKB的表达或磷酸化水平 .利用poly hema使细胞非贴壁生长 ,2组细胞悬浮无血清培养 2 0h ,采用流式细胞仪方法检测细胞的失巢凋亡 (anoikis) .研究发现 ,转染GnT Ⅴ后的肝癌细胞的FAK表达无明显变化 ,FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化水平增高 70 %;而PTEN的表达下降了 4 9%;PKB的磷酸化增加 2 0 0 %;pcDNA3 772 1细胞已有明显凋亡 ,而转染GnT Ⅴ的 772 1细胞未发生凋亡 .结果提示 ,转染GnT Ⅴ后的肝癌细胞迁移力增强 ,可能与其FAK的磷酸化程度升高 ,激酶活力增强有关 ;而能逃逸失巢凋亡是因为PTEN的表达下降 ,PTEN蛋白的磷酸酶活性降低 ,细胞Akt PKB磷酸化水平保持在较高水平 .     

N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖转移酶Ⅴ过表达对人肝癌细胞粘着斑复合物介导的信号转导作用

为了探讨过表达N 乙酰氨基葡萄糖转移酶Ⅴ (GnT Ⅴ )后 772 1细胞侵袭、迁移等行为改变的机制 ,检测了GnT Ⅴ 772 1及pcDNA3 772 1两组细胞中与恶性表型密切相关的粘着斑激酶 (focalad hesionkinase ,FAK)、PTEN蛋白、蛋白激酶B(PKB)等重要信号分子的表达水平 ,同时测定了 2组细胞非贴壁依赖生长的能力 .利用Western印迹方法检测FAK、PTEN、PKB的表达或磷酸化水平 .利用poly hema使细胞非贴壁生长 ,2组细胞悬浮无血清培养 2 0h ,采用流式细胞仪方法检测细胞的失巢凋亡 (anoikis) .研究发现 ,转染GnT Ⅴ后的肝癌细胞的FAK表达无明显变化 ,FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化水平增高 70 %;而PTEN的表达下降了 4 9%;PKB的磷酸化增加 2 0 0 %;pcDNA3 772 1细胞已有明显凋亡 ,而转染GnT Ⅴ的 772 1细胞未发生凋亡 .结果提示 ,转染GnT Ⅴ后的肝癌细胞迁移力增强 ,可能与其FAK的磷酸化程度升高 ,激酶活力增强有关 ;而能逃逸失巢凋亡是因为PTEN的表达下降 ,PTEN蛋白的磷酸酶活性降低 ,细胞Akt PKB磷酸化水平保持在较高水平 .     

粘着斑相关非激酶对骨桥蛋白促血管平滑肌细胞迁移的抑制作用及分子机制

为阐明整合素 β3 粘着斑激酶 (FAK)信号途径在骨桥蛋白 (OPN)诱导血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)迁移中的作用 ,用FAK磷酸化特异性抑制剂粘着斑相关非激酶 (FRNK)选择性阻断FAK磷酸化 ,观察对OPN 整合素 β3 相互作用所激活的FAK信号通路的影响及其与OPN诱导VSMC迁移之间的关系 .外源性FRNK在VSMC中的过表达可显著抑制OPN诱导的VSMC迁移 ,使跨膜迁移细胞数下降 5 0 5 8% (P <0 0 5 ) .OPN刺激不但明显诱导FAK表达 ,而且还促进其磷酸化 .外源性FRNK对OPN诱导的FAK磷酸化具有显著抑制作用 ,使磷酸化型FAK水平比相应对照细胞下降5 9 1% ,但其对FAK表达不产生明显的影响 .FRNK还具有下调整合素 β3 表达的作用 ,免疫荧光细胞化学分析结果显示 ,在转染FRNK的VSMC中 ,粘着斑蛋白的磷酸化水平降低 ,粘着斑数量明显减少 .结果提示 ,整合素 β3 FAK是介导VSMC迁移的重要信号途径 ,外源性FRNK通过下调 β3 表达、抑制FAK磷酸化和减少粘着斑蛋白磷酸化及粘着斑形成等机制 ,减弱OPN刺激信号的跨膜转导及沿胞内途径传递 ,发挥抑制OPN促VSMC迁移的效应 .     

整合蛋白α5β1过表达诱导人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721“失巢凋亡”机理

为了进一步阐明整合蛋白α5 β1过表达诱导非粘着状态的人肝癌细胞SMMC 772 1失巢凋亡的机理 ,利用poly HEME阻断细胞贴壁 ,诱导失巢凋亡 ,在poly HEME包被的 96孔板中检测细胞生存率 .利用Western印迹法检测了与细胞信号转导密切相关的粘着斑激酶 (FAK)、蛋白激酶B(PKB)及生存蛋白survivin的表达水平 .α5 β1过表达细胞株在去粘附状态下的生存率明显低于对照细胞 .在生长 8d时 ,以整合蛋白不同亚单位转染的α5 β1 772 1、β1 772 1和α5 772 1细胞 ,活细胞数分别降至对照组的 4 0 %、4 5 %和 83% .这说明整合蛋白α5 β1过表达细胞株 ,特别是α5 β1 772 1和 β1 772 1细胞的失巢凋亡明显加快 .细胞悬浮生长 2 4h后 ,α5 β1过表达细胞株都有不同程度的凋亡发生 ;同时粘着斑激酶 (FAK)和蛋白激酶B(PKB)表达量及其磷酸化水平均低于对照细胞 ,而survivin表达水平在α5 β1 772 1中最高 ,在 β1 772 1中最低 .在给予天然细胞外基质纤粘连蛋白的条件下 ,α5 β1 772 1和 β1 772 1细胞的FAK和PKB的磷酸化水平却呈升高趋势 .结果说明 ,FAK和PKB的变化与细胞的粘附状态密切相关 ,并且参与整合蛋白α5 β1过表达细胞在去粘附状态下失巢凋亡的发生 .     

佛波酯促进NIH3T3细胞的铺展和聚焦粘附激酶的酪氨酸磷酸化

100nmol/L佛波酯(12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate,TPA)能明显促进NIH3T3细胞在纤连蛋白(Fn)上的铺展,该作用能分别被酪氨酸激酶(tyrosinekinase,TK)抑制剂4′,5,7-三羟基异黄酮(genistein)和蛋白激酶C(proteinkinaseC,PKC)抑制剂calphostinC和神经鞘氨醇(sphingosine)所抑制.TPA作用于结合到Fn上的NIH3T3细胞,使其聚焦粘附激酶(focaladhe-sionkinase,FAK)的酪氨酸磷酸化程度较未处理细胞升高,于30min时达对照的204.0%,并存在浓度依赖性;该变化分别被上述抑制剂所拮抗;未经TPA处理的NIH3T3细胞和纤连蛋白结合诱导的FAK酪氨酸磷酸化亦分别被上述抑制剂所抑制.细胞松弛素D则无论TPA作用与否,都能完全阻断NIH3T3细胞的铺展和FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化.以上结果提示,TPA促进NIH3T3细胞在Fn上铺展的信号转导机制,与PKC的激活有关,进一步则可能通过影响FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化来实现,同时需要细胞骨架的参与;NIH3T3细胞和Fn结合并诱导FAK酪氨酸磷酸化的过程亦依赖于PKC和完整的细胞骨架.     

TGF-β1短时处理降低肝癌细胞与Fn的粘附及FAK的磷酸化

为了研究TGF-β1对α5β1整合蛋白所介导的信号转导通路是否有快速的信号调节作用,本文用TGF-β1短时(10min)处理SMMC7721细胞,发现当经TGFβ1预处理的细胞与Fn粘附时,细胞与Fn的粘附力下降,由Fn与整合蛋白的结合而诱导发生的FAK的酪氨酸磷酸化随着TGF-β1浓度的增加而降低。而TGF-β1短时处理并未改变整合蛋白α5、β1亚基的表达。此外,贴壁生长于培养皿的细胞的FAK磷酸化程度在TGF-β1短时处理后也下降,甚至检测不出。提示TGF-β1可能通过某种信号通路快速调节了整合蛋白与配体的亲和力以及下游信号分子FAK的磷酸化。从而影响了细胞内骨架蛋白结构的完整性,使细胞发生去极性化,有利于细胞在迁移早期的松脱。     

FAK和ILK介导骨桥蛋白诱导的血管平滑肌细胞黏附和迁移

黏着斑激酶（FAK）和整合素偶联激酶（ILK）是整合素信号途径中的重要信号转导分子,为阐明两者在血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）黏附和迁移中的作用,以骨桥蛋白（OPN）作为VSMC黏附和迁移的诱导剂,检测其对FAK和ILK磷酸化以及对两者之间结合的影响.在此基础上,用FAK磷酸化特异性抑制剂黏着斑相关非激酶（FRNK）或ILK反义RNA分别阻断FAK磷酸化或ILK表达,进一步探讨两者在VSMC黏附和迁移中所起的作用.结果显示,OPN诱导可促进FAK磷酸化,诱导10 min后FAK磷酸化水平升高到对照组的2.4倍;与此同时,ILK的磷酸化受到抑制,30 min降至对照细胞的44.6％.OPN诱导FAK磷酸化的同时使FAK与ILK的结合减少.外源性FRNK在VSMC中的过表达显著降低FAK的磷酸化水平,促进ILK磷酸化和FAK与ILK之间的结合,抑制VSMC的黏附和迁移.用ILK反义RNA抑制ILK表达使VSMC在OPN上的黏附增加1.8倍,迁移细胞数降低45.5％.结果提示,FAK和ILK介导OPN诱导的VSMC黏附和迁移过程,两者通过对同一刺激信号产生不同的磷酸化变化而对VSMC的黏附和迁移产生不同的影响.     

Src介导骨桥蛋白诱导的血管平滑肌细胞黏附和迁移过程

为阐明酪氨酸激酶Src在整合素被骨桥蛋白(OPN)激活所触发的细胞黏附和迁移信号途径中所起的作用,应用Src特异性抑制剂PP2阻断Src,观察OPN诱导的血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)黏附和迁移活性的改变,并利用免疫沉淀检查PP2对整合素下游信号分子黏着斑激酶(FAK)和整合素偶联激酶(ILK)磷酸化及其相互作用的影响。结果显示,PP2可明显抑制OPN诱导的VSMC黏附和伤口愈合(黏附和迁移活性分别为对照组的76.6%和33.8%);OPN可显著诱导FAK磷酸化(磷酸化水平达对照组的1.9倍),促进ILK去磷酸化,并使FAK与ILK的结合减少(降至对照组的46.4%)。10μmol/LPP2可明显抑制OPN诱导的FAK磷酸化、拮抗OPN诱导对ILK的去磷酸化作用、促进FAK与ILK之间的结合。研究结果表明,Src作为OPN-整合素-FAK信号途径中的信号分子,通过影响FAK和ILK的磷酸化以及两者之间的相互作用来调节VSMC的黏附和迁移活性。     

VEGF通过调节黏着斑促进间充质干细胞的黏附及铺展

间充质干细胞（mesenchymalstemcells,MSCs）具有多向分化潜能并能在体外趋化剂或细胞因子的作用下进行定向迁移,体内移植后可趋向迁移至脑瘤病灶区。细胞黏附是细胞迁移的首要条件,了解细胞黏附及其调控有助于细胞迁移机制的研究。细胞黏附及铺展涉及到黏着斑（f0－caladhesions,FAs）的动态变化以及细胞骨架的重排。细胞铺展面积在黏附过程中逐渐增大,黏附初期形成的小的黏着复合物逐渐成熟,聚集在一起形成较大的FAs。肌动蛋白（F—actin）聚集形成的螺线圈样微丝结构逐渐被应力纤维代替,细胞也由圆形变为具有极性的梭形或多角形。黏着斑激酶（focal adhesion kinase,FAK）和桩蛋白（paxillin）具有调节FAs聚合及骨架重排的作用,其中,Y397－FAK和Y31／Y118－paxillin的磷酸化活性在细胞铺展过程中不断变化。FAs组装时,Y397－FAK的磷酸化活性升高;FAs成熟后,Y397．FAK的磷酸化活性下降。活化的FAK能够磷酸4LY31／Y118-paxillin,激活paxillin参与调节细胞骨架的形成和排列。血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growthfactor,VEGF）诱导~SMSCs黏附过程中,细胞面积变大,完全铺展的时间缩短,黏着斑及细胞骨架的形成均提前。另外,VEGF诱导的细胞铺展过程中形成的FAs形态细长,数量较多。该研究表明,VEGF通过调节黏着斑和细胞骨架促L~MSCs的黏附与铺展,提示vEGF可以通过调节黏着斑进而调控MSCs的定向迁移,为细胞迁移行为的研究提供理论基础。     

粘着斑激酶在TNF-α作用下影响SMMC-7721细胞PKB的表达水平

 探讨在肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)作用下 ,粘着斑激酶 (focal adhesion kinase,FAK)对蛋白激酶 B(PKB)蛋白水平的影响 .利用构建、转染 FAK反义质粒来特异性降低 SMMC- 772 1细胞的FAK含量 ,及用 Western杂交的方法来检测 PKB的蛋白含量 .文献报道 TNF- α能够激活磷脂酰肌醇 3-激酶 (PI3K)而使 PKB发生磷酸化 .但是至于 TNF-α对 PKB蛋白水平的影响目前并无报道 .研究发现 ,当用 wortmannin特异性抑制 PI3K活性后可以显著降低 PKB的蛋白含量 .提示PI3K对维持 PKB的基础蛋白水平是必需的 .但是 TNF- α本身对 PKB的蛋白水平无明显影响 .而当用不同浓度的 TNF- α和 wortmannin处理 SMMC- 772 1细胞时 ,发现 PKB的蛋白含量随着TNF-α浓度的增加而降低 .提示 TNF-α可能除了通过 PI3K外 ,还可能通过另一条途径来下调PKB的表达 .而当用 FAK反义质粒转染 SMMC- 772 1细胞后 (FAK下降了 60 % ) ,发现在当用不同浓度的 TNF- α处理的情况下 ,FAK反义质粒转染株 AS- 772 1细胞的 PKB含量降低为对照的70 % ;而在用 TNF-α和 wortmannin处理的情况下 ,下降为对照的 40 %～ 60 % .TNF-α能够通过PI3K及另一未知途径来影响 PKB的蛋白水平 .而 FAK在 TNF- α作用下能够不通过 PI3K来影响PKB的蛋白水平 .     

TGF-beta 1 modulated the expression of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin and integrin-mediated signaling in human hepatocarcinoma cells

Integrins are a family of cell surface adhesion molecules which mediate cell adhesion and initiate signaling pathways that regulate cell spreading, migration, differentiation, and proliferation. TGF-beta is a multifunctional factor that induces a wide variety of cellular processes. In this study, we show that, TGF-beta 1 treatment enhanced the amount of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin on cell surface, the mRNA level of alpha 5 subunit, and subsequently stimulated cell adhesion onto a fibronectin (Fn) and laminin (Ln) matrix in SMMC-7721 cells. TGF-beta 1 could also promote cell migration. Furthermore, our results showed that TGF-beta1 treatment stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation level of FAK, which can be activated by the ligation and clustering of integrins. PTEN can directly dephosphorylate FAK, and the results that TGF-beta 1 could down-regulate PTEN at protein level suggested that TGF-beta 1 might stimulate FAK phosphorylation through increasing integrin signaling and reducing dephosphorylation of FAK. These studies indicated that TGF-beta 1 and integrin-mediated signaling act synergistically to enhance cell adhesion and migration and affect downstream signaling molecules of hepatocarcinoma cells.     

Shc and FAK differentially regulate cell motility and directionality modulated by PTEN.

Cell migration is modulated by regulatory molecules such as growth factors, oncogenes, and the tumor suppressor PTEN. We previously described inhibition of cell migration by PTEN and restoration of motility by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p130 Crk-associated substrate (p130(Cas)). We now report a novel pathway regulating random cell motility involving Shc and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, which is downmodulated by PTEN and additive to a FAK pathway regulating directional migration. Overexpression of Shc or constitutively activated MEK1 in PTEN- reconstituted U87-MG cells stimulated integrin- mediated MAP kinase activation and cell migration. Conversely, overexpression of dominant negative Shc inhibited cell migration; Akt appeared uninvolved. PTEN directly dephosphorylated Shc. The migration induced by FAK or p130(Cas) was directionally persistent and involved extensive organization of actin microfilaments and focal adhesions. In contrast, Shc or MEK1 induced a random type of motility associated with less actin cytoskeletal and focal adhesion organization. These results identify two distinct, additive pathways regulating cell migration that are downregulated by tumor suppressor PTEN: one involves Shc, a MAP kinase pathway, and random migration, whereas the other involves FAK, p130(Cas), more extensive actin cytoskeletal organization, focal contacts, and directionally persistent cell motility. Integration of these pathways provides an intracellular mechanism for regulating the speed and the directionality of cell migration.     

Tumor Suppressor PTEN Inhibits Integrin- and Growth Factor–mediated Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Signaling Pathways

The tumor suppressor PTEN dephosphorylates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and inhibits integrin-mediated cell spreading and cell migration. We demonstrate here that expression of PTEN selectively inhibits activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. PTEN expression in glioblastoma cells lacking the protein resulted in inhibition of integrin-mediated MAP kinase activation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)- induced MAPK activation were also blocked. To determine the specific point of inhibition in the Ras/Raf/ MEK/ERK pathway, we examined these components after stimulation by fibronectin or growth factors. Shc phosphorylation and Ras activity were inhibited by expression of PTEN, whereas EGF receptor autophosphorylation was unaffected. The ability of cells to spread at normal rates was partially rescued by coexpression of constitutively activated MEK1, a downstream component of the pathway. In addition, focal contact formation was enhanced as indicated by paxillin staining. The phosphatase domain of PTEN was essential for all of these functions, because PTEN with an inactive phosphatase domain did not suppress MAP kinase or Ras activity. In contrast to its effects on ERK, PTEN expression did not affect c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) or PDGF-stimulated Akt. Our data suggest that a general function of PTEN is to down-regulate FAK and Shc phosphorylation, Ras activity, downstream MAP kinase activation, and associated focal contact formation and cell spreading.     

JNK regulates cell migration through promotion of tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin

The adaptor protein paxillin plays an important role in cell migration. Although the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation of paxillin on Ser 178 has been found to be critical for cell migration, the precise mechanism by which JNK regulates cell migration is still not very clear. Here, the migration of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells was used to determine which signaling pathways are involved in EGF-induced paxillin phosphorylation. Paxillin was phosphorylated on Tyr 31 and Tyr 118 after induction of migration by EGF in HCE cells. Specific inhibition of JNK activation by inhibitor SP600125 or overexpression of a dominant-negative JNK mutant not only blocked EGF-induced cell migration, but also eliminated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin on Tyr 31 and Tyr 118. HCE cells overexpressing paxillin-S178A mutant also exhibited lower mobility, and reduced phosphorylation of Tyr 31 and Tyr 118. However, paxillin-S178A-inhibited cell migration can be rescued by overexpression of paxillin-Y31E/Y118E mutant. Importantly, inhibition of JNK by SP600125 or overexpression of paxillin-S178A mutant prevented the association of FAK with paxillin. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of paxillin on Ser 178 by JNK is required for the association of paxillin with FAK, and subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin.     

Focal adhesion kinase protein levels in gut epithelial motility

Mucosal healing requires migration and proliferation. Most studies of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a protein that regulates motility, proliferation, and apoptosis, have focused on rapid phosphorylation. We reported lower FAK protein levels in motile Caco-2 colon cancer cells and postulated that this reduction in FAK available for activation might impact cell migration and mucosal healing. Therefore, total and active FAK (FAK(397)) immunoreactivity was assessed at the migrating fronts of human Caco-2 and rat IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2 and IEC-6 motility, quantitated as migration into linear or circular wounds, was examined following FAK protein inhibition by small interfering RNA (siRNA). FAK protein stability and mRNA expression were ascertained by cycloheximide decay, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization in static and migrating Caco-2 cells. Cells at the migrating front of Caco-2 and IEC-6 monolayers exhibited lower immunostaining for both total and activated FAK than cells immediately behind the front. Western blot analysis also demonstrated diminished FAK protein levels in motile cells by >/=30% in both the differential density seeding and multiple scrape models. siRNA FAK protein inhibition enhanced motility in both the linear scrape (20% in Caco-2) and circular wound (16% in Caco-2 and 19% in IEC-6 cells) models. FAK protein degradation did not differ in motile and static Caco-2 cells and was unaffected by FAK(397) phosphorylation, but FAK mRNA was lower in migrating Caco-2 cells. Thus FAK protein abundance appears regulated at the mRNA level during gut epithelial cell motility and may influence epithelial cell migration coordinately with signals that modify FAK phosphorylation.     

Transforming growth factor {beta} (TGF-{beta})-Smad target gene protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type kappa is required for TGF-{beta} function

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) inhibits proliferation and promotes cell migration. In TGF-beta-treated MCF10A mammary epithelial cells overexpressing HER2 and by chromatin immunoprecipitation, we identified novel Smad targets including protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type kappa (PTPRK). TGF-beta up-regulated PTPRK mRNA and RPTPkappa (receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase kappa, the protein product encoded by the PTPRK gene) protein in tumor and nontumor mammary cells; HER2 overexpression down-regulated its expression. RNA interference (RNAi) of PTPRK accelerated cell cycle progression, enhanced response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), and abrogated TGF-beta-mediated antimitogenesis. Endogenous RPTPkappa associated with EGF receptor and HER2, resulting in suppression of basal and ErbB ligand-induced proliferation and receptor phosphorylation. In MCF10A/HER2 cells, TGF-beta enhanced cell motility, FAK phosphorylation, F-actin assembly, and focal adhesion formation and inhibited RhoA activity. These responses were abolished when RPTPkappa was eliminated by RNA interference (RNAi). In cells expressing RPTPkappa RNAi, phosphorylation of Src at Tyr527 was increased and (activating) phosphorylation of Src at Tyr416 was reduced. These data suggest that (i) RPTPkappa positively regulates Src; (ii) HER2 signaling and TGF-beta-induced RPTPkappa converge at Src, providing an adequate input for activation of FAK and increased cell motility and adhesion; and (iii) RPTPkappa is required for both the antiproliferative and the promigratory effects of TGF-beta.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and chemotactic motility of endothelial cells via the G(i) protein-linked phospholipase C pathway

We have previously shown that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) stimulates motility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (O.-H. Lee et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 264, 743-750, 1999). To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which S1P stimulates HUVEC motility, we examined tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)) which is important for cell migration. S1P induces a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK). Compared with other structurally related lipid metabolites such as sphingosine, C2-ceramide, and lysophosphatidic acid, S1P uniquely stimulated p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation and migration of HUVECs. The effect of S1P on p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation was markedly reduced by treatment with pertussis toxin or U73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. As a downstream signal of PLC, p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation in response to S1P was totally blocked by depletion of the intracellular calcium pool. However, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor had no effect on the response to S1P. Finally, chemotaxis assays revealed that inhibition of PLC but not PKC significantly abrogated S1P-stimulated HUVEC migration. These results suggest that the G(i)-coupled receptor-mediated PLC-Ca(2+) signaling pathway may be importantly involved in S1P-stimulated focal adhesion formation and migration of endothelial cells.     

Phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (pp125(FAK)) is increased in human keratinocytes induced to migrate by extracellular matrices

During the healing process of skin wounds, human keratinocytes migrate across a provisional matrix of the wound bed. The mechanisms by which keratinocytes migrate on connective tissue are not known. In this study, we examined the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), an 125 kDa protein that co-localizes with focal adhesions in cells plated on extracellular matrix. We induced human keratinocytes into various states of migration by plating them on extracellular matrices that minimally, moderately, or strongly induce cellular migration, and then examined the expression of FAK at the protein level and its degree of tyrosine phosphorylation using Western immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. In highly migratory human keratinocytes, we found that three proteins were predominantly tyrosine phosphorylated, one of them being FAK. Tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK tightly correlated with the level of cellular motility but not cell attachment to the matrix. Time course experiments demonstrated that in highly motile keratinocytes, tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK peaked at 12 h, the time when maximal migration on the matrix ensues. In contrast to FAK, the beta1 integrin subunit of human keratinocytes that configures with the alpha2, alpha3, and alpha5 integrin subunits to form integrin receptors for matrix, did not display tyrosine phosphorylation linked to motility. Using anti-sense oligonucleotides to FAK, we demonstrate that FAK is required for human keratinocyte migration, but not for focal adhesion formation.     

PTEN inhibits the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer via downregulation of FAK expression

The tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is essential in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. However, the mechanism by which PTEN restricts gastric cancer progression and metastasis remains largely elusive. Here we demonstrated that PTEN overexpression or knockdown in gastric cancer cells led to the downregulation or upregulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and decreased or increased cell invasion, respectively. Moreover, FAK overexpression could rescue the inhibition of cell invasion by PTEN. These results were further confirmed in orthotropic gastric cancer nude mice model. In addition, in human gastric cancer tissues, PTEN protein level was conversely correlated with FAK protein level. Mechanistically, we found that PTEN inhibited PI3K/NF-κB pathway and inhibited the DNA binding of NF-κB on FAK promoter. Taken together, our data reveal a novel mechanism that PTEN inhibits the growth and invasion of gastric cancer via the downregulation of FAK expression and suggest that exploiting PTEN/PI3K/NF-κB/FAK axis is a promising approach to treat gastric cancer metastasis.