Dynasore, a dynamin inhibitor, suppresses lamellipodia formation and cancer cell invasion by destabilizing actin filaments

Dynamic remodeling of actin filaments are bases for a variety of cellular events including cell motility and cancer invasion, and the regulation of actin dynamics implies dynamin, well characterized endocytotic protein. Here we report that dynasore, a inhibitor of dynamin GTPase, potently destabilizes F-actin in vitro, and it severely inhibits the formation of pseudopodia and cancer cell invasion, both of which are supported by active F-actin formation. Dynasore rapidly disrupted F-actin formed in brain cytosol in vitro, and the dynasore’s effect on F-actin was indirect. Dynasore significantly suppressed serum-induced lamellipodia formation in U2OS cell. Dynasore also destabilized F-actin in resting cells, which caused the retraction of the plasma membrane. A certain amount of dynamin 2 in U2OS cells localized along F-actin, and co-localized with cortactin, a physiological binding partner of dynamin and F-actin. However, these associations of dynamin were partially disrupted by dynasore treatment. Furthermore, invasion activity of H1080 cell, a lung cancer cell line, was suppressed by approximately 40% with dynasore treatment. These results strongly suggest that dynasore potently destabilizes F-actin, and the effect implies dynamin. Dynasore or its derivative would be suitable candidates as potent anti-cancer drugs.