The protrusive phase and full development of integrin-dependent adhesions in colon epithelial cells require FAK- and ERK-mediated actin spike formation: Deregulation in cancer cells

Brunton, V., Fincham, V.J., McLean, G.W., Winder, S.J., Paraskeva, C., Marshall, J.R. and Frame, M.C. (2001) The protrusive phase and full development of integrin-dependent adhesions in colon epithelial cells require FAK- and ERK-mediated actin spike formation: Deregulation in cancer cells. Neoplasia, 3, pp. 215-226.

Abstract

Integrins play an important role in tumour progression by influencing cellular responses and matrix-dependent adhesion. However, the regulation of matrix-dependent adhesion assembly in epithelial cells is poorly understood. We have investigated the integrin and signalling requirements of cell-matrix adhesion assembly in colon carcinoma cells after plating on fibronectin. Adhesion assembly in these, and in the adenoma cells from which they were derived, was largely dependent on alpha v beta 6 integrin and required phosphorylation of FAK on tyrosine-397. The rate of fibronectin-induced adhesion assembly and the expression of both alpha v beta 6 integrin and FAK were increased during the adenoma-to-carcinoma transition. The matrix-dependent adhesion assembly process, particularly the final stages of complex protrusion that is required for optimal cell spreading, required the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Furthermore, phosphorylated ERK was targeted to newly forming cell--matrix adhesions in the carcinoma cells but not the adenoma cells, and inhibition of FAK--tyrosine-397 phosphorylation or MEK suppressed the appearance of phosphorylated ERK at peripheral sites. In addition, inhibition of MEK--ERK activation blocked the formation of peripheral actin microspikes that were necessary for the protrusive phase of cell-matrix adhesion assembly. Thus, MEK--ERK--dependent peripheral actin re-organization is required for the full development of integrin-induced adhesions and this pathway is stimulated in an in vitro model of colon cancer progression.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brunton, Dr Valerie and Frame, Prof Margaret
• Authors: Brunton, V., Fincham, V.J., McLean, G.W., Winder, S.J., Paraskeva, C., Marshall, J.R., and Frame, M.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Neoplasia