Caveolin-1 up-regulates IGF-I receptor gene transcription in breast cancer cells via Sp1- and p53-dependent pathways

The transcription factors Ik-1 and MZF1 downregulate IGF-IR expression in NPM-ALK⁺ T-cell lymphoma

Background

The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) tyrosine kinase promotes the survival of an aggressive subtype of T-cell lymphoma by interacting with nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK) oncogenic protein. NPM-ALK⁺ T-cell lymphoma exhibits much higher levels of IGF-IR than normal human T lymphocytes. The mechanisms underlying increased expression of IGF-IR in this lymphoma are not known. We hypothesized that upregulation of IGF-IR could be attributed to previously unrecognized defects that inherently exist in the transcriptional machinery in NPM-ALK⁺ T-cell lymphoma.

Methods and results

Screening studies showed substantially lower levels of the transcription factors Ikaros isoform 1 (Ik-1) and myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) in NPM-ALK⁺ T-cell lymphoma cell lines and primary tumor tissues from patients than in human T lymphocytes. A luciferase assay supported that Ik-1 and MZF1 suppress IGF-IR gene promoter. Furthermore, ChIP assay showed that these transcription factors bind specific sites located within the IGF-IR gene promoter. Forced expression of Ik-1 or MZF1 in the lymphoma cells decreased IGF-IR mRNA and protein. This decrease was associated with downregulation of pIGF-IR, and the phosphorylation of its interacting proteins IRS-1, AKT, and NPM-ALK. In addition, overexpression of Ik-1 and MZF1 decreased the viability, proliferation, migration, and anchorage-independent colony formation of the lymphoma cells.

Conclusions

Our results provide novel evidence that the aberrant decreases in Ik-1 and MZF1 contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of NPM-ALK⁺ T-cell lymphoma through the upregulation of IGF-IR expression. These findings could be exploited to devise new strategies to eradicate this lymphoma.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0324-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Caveolin and cavin family members: dual roles in cancer

Caveolae are specialized plasma membrane subdomains with distinct lipid and protein compositions, which play an essential role in cell physiology through regulation of trafficking and signaling functions. The structure and functions of caveolae have been shown to require the proteins caveolins. Recently, members of the cavin protein family were found to be required, in concert with caveolins, for the formation and function of caveolae. Caveolins have a paradoxical role in the development of cancer formation. They have been involved in both tumor suppression and oncogenesis, depending on tumor type and progress stage. High expression of caveolins and cavins leads to inhibition of cancer-related pathways, such as growth factor signaling pathways. However, certain cancer cells that express caveolins and cavins have been shown to be more aggressive and metastatic because of their increased potential for anchorage-independent growth. Here, we will survey the functional roles of caveolins and of different cavin family members in cancer regulation.

Transcriptional regulation of oncogenic protein kinase Cϵ (PKCϵ) by STAT1 and Sp1 proteins

Overexpression of PKCϵ, a kinase associated with tumor aggressiveness and widely implicated in malignant transformation and metastasis, is a hallmark of multiple cancers, including mammary, prostate, and lung cancer. To characterize the mechanisms that control PKCϵ expression and its up-regulation in cancer, we cloned an ∼ 1.6-kb promoter segment of the human PKCϵ gene (PRKCE) that displays elevated transcriptional activity in cancer cells. A comprehensive deletional analysis established two regions rich in Sp1 and STAT1 sites located between -777 and -105 bp (region A) and -921 and -796 bp (region B), respectively, as responsible for the high transcriptional activity observed in cancer cells. A more detailed mutagenesis analysis followed by EMSA and ChIP identified Sp1 sites in positions -668/-659 and -269/-247 as well as STAT1 sites in positions -880/-869 and -793/-782 as the elements responsible for elevated promoter activity in breast cancer cells relative to normal mammary epithelial cells. RNAi silencing of Sp1 and STAT1 in breast cancer cells reduced PKCϵ mRNA and protein expression, as well as PRKCE promoter activity. Moreover, a strong correlation was found between PKCϵ and phospho-Ser-727 (active) STAT1 levels in breast cancer cells. Our results may have significant implications for the development of approaches to target PKCϵ and its effectors in cancer therapeutics.

Activation of Akt by advanced glycation end products (AGEs): involvement of IGF-1 receptor and caveolin-1

Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which in turn facilitates the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs activate signaling proteins such as Src, Akt and ERK1/2. However, the mechanisms by which AGEs activate these kinases remain unclear. We examined the effect of AGEs on Akt activation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Addition of AGEs to 3T3-L1 cells activated Akt in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The AGEs-stimulated Akt activation was blocked by a PI3-kinase inhibitor LY 294002, Src inhibitor PP2, an antioxidant NAC, superoxide scavenger Tiron, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase inhibitor DPI, suggesting the involvement of Src and NAD(P)H oxidase in the activation of PI3-kinase-Akt pathway by AGEs. AGEs-stimulated Src tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by NAC, suggesting that Src is downstream of NAD(P)H oxidase. The AGEs-stimulated Akt activity was sensitive to Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) kinase inhibitor AG1024. Furthermore, AGEs induced phosphorylation of IGF-1 receptorβsubunit (IGF-1Rβ) on Tyr1135/1136, which was sensitive to PP2, indicating that AGEs stimulate Akt activity by transactivating IGF-1 receptor. In addition, the AGEs-stimulated Akt activation was attenuated by β-methylcyclodextrin that abolishes the structure of caveolae, and by lowering caveolin-1 (Cav-1) levels with siRNAs. Furthermore, addition of AGEs enhanced the interaction of phospho-Cav-1 with IGF-1Rβ and transfection of 3T3-L1 cells with Cav-1 Y14F mutants inhibited the activation of Akt by AGEs. These results suggest that AGEs activate NAD(P)H oxidase and Src which in turn phosphorylates IGF-1 receptor and Cav-1 leading to activation of IGF-1 receptor and the downstream Akt in 3T3-L1 cells. AGEs treatment promoted the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and addition of AG1024, LY 294002 or Akt inhibitor attenuated the promoting effect of AGEs on adipogenesis, suggesting that IGF-1 receptor, PI3-Kinase and Akt are involved in the facilitation of adipogenesis by AGEs.

Caveolin-1 and polymerase I and transcript release factor: new players in insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signaling

Caveolae are plasma membrane regions enriched in Caveolin proteins which regulate vesicular transport, endocytosis, and cell signaling. IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) localizes in caveolae and tyrosine phosphorylates Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the most represented caveolar protein. Cav-1 participates to IGF-IR internalization and signaling directly interacting with IGF-IR and its substrates. Recently, polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF) or Cavin-1, has been identified in the caveolar backbone. PTRF does not play a Cav-1 ancillary role and emerging data support a direct role of PTRF in IGF-IR signaling. PTRF and Cav-1 can bind IGF-IR and regulate IGF-IR internalization and plasma membrane replacement, mechanisms frequently deregulated in cancer cells. Although the exact roles of Cav-1 and IGF-IR in human cancer continue to be a matter of some debate, there is a strong evidence for an association between Cav-1 and IGF-IR in cancer development. With the discovery of IGF-IR interaction with PTRF in caveolae, new insight emerged to understand the growing functions of these domains in IGF-I action.

Nuclear localization of folate receptor alpha: a new role as a transcription factor

Folic acid (FA) has traditionally been associated with prevention of neural tube defects; more recent work suggests that it may also be involved in in the prevention of adult onset diseases. As the role of FA in human health and disease expands, it also becomes more critical to understand the mechanisms behind FA action. In this work we examined the hypothesis that folate receptor alpha (FRα) acts as a transcription factor. FRα is a GPI-anchored protein and a component of the caveolae fraction. The work described here shows that FRα translocates to the nucleus, where it binds to cis-regulatory elements at promoter regions of Fgfr4 and Hes1, and regulates their expression. The FRα recognition domain mapped to AT rich regions on the promoters. Until this time FRα has only been considered as a folate transporter, these studies describe a novel role for FRα as a transcription factor.

Functional role of post-translational modifications of Sp1 in tumorigenesis

Specific protein 1 (Sp1), the first transcription factor to be isolated, regulates the expression of numerous genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Recent studies found that an increase in Sp1 transcriptional activity is associated with the tumorigenesis. Moreover, post-translational modifications of Sp1, including glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, and methylation, regulate Sp1 transcriptional activity and modulate target gene expression by affecting its DNA binding activity, transactivation activity, or protein level. In addition, recent studies have investigated several compounds with anti-cancer activity that could inhibit Sp1 transcriptional activity. In this review, we describe the effect of various post-translational modifications on Sp1 transcriptional activity and discuss compounds that inhibit the activity of Sp1.

CpG island shore methylation regulates caveolin-1 expression in breast cancer

Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is an integral membrane, scaffolding protein found in plasma membrane invaginations (caveolae). Cav1 regulates multiple cancer-associated processes. In breast cancer, a tumor suppressive role for Cav1 has been suggested; however, Cav1 is frequently overexpressed in aggressive breast cancer subtypes, suggesting an oncogenic function in advanced-stage disease. To further delineate Cav1 function in breast cancer progression, we evaluated its expression levels among a panel of cell lines representing a spectrum of breast cancer phenotypes. In basal-like (the most aggressive BC subtype) breast cancer cells, Cav1 was consistently upregulated, and positively correlated with increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and migration and invasion. To identify mechanisms of Cav1 gene regulation, we compared DNA methylation levels within promoter ‘CpG islands' (CGIs) with ‘CGI shores', recently described regions that flank CGIs with less CG-density. Integration of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles (‘methylomes') with Cav1 expression in 30 breast cancer cell lines showed that differential methylation of CGI shores, but not CGIs, significantly regulated Cav1 expression. In breast cancer cell lines having low Cav1 expression (despite promoter CGI hypomethylation), we found that treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor induced Cav1 expression via CGI shore demethylation. In addition, further methylome assessments revealed that breast cancer aggressiveness associated with Cav1 CGI shore methylation levels, with shore hypermethylation in minimally aggressive, luminal breast cancer cells and shore hypomethylation in highly aggressive, basal-like cells. Cav1 CGI shore methylation was also observed in human breast tumors, and overall survival rates of breast cancer patients lacking estrogen receptor α (ERα) negatively correlated with Cav1 expression. Based on this first study of Cav1 (a potential oncogene) CGI shore methylation, we suggest this phenomenon may represent a new prognostic marker for ERα-negative, basal-like breast cancer.

Divergent control of Cav-1 expression in non-cancerous Li-Fraumeni syndrome and human cancer cell lines

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is primarily characterized by development of tumors exhibiting germ-line mutations in the p53 gene. Cell lines developed from patients of a LFS family have decreased p53 activity as evidenced by the absence of apoptosis upon etoposide treatment. To test our hypothesis that changes in gene expression beyond p53 per se are contributing to the development of tumors, we compared gene expression in non-cancerous skin fibroblasts of LFS-affected (p53 heterozygous) vs. non-affected (p53 wild-type homozygous) family members. Expression analysis showed that several genes were differentially regulated in the p53 homozygous and heterozygous cell lines. We were particularly intrigued by the decreased expression (~88%) of a putative tumor-suppressor protein, caveolin-1 (Cav-1), in the p53-mutant cells. Decreased expression of Cav-1 was also seen in both p53-knockout and p21-knockout HTC116 cells suggesting that p53 controls Cav-1 expression through p21 and leading to the speculation that p53, Cav-1 and p21 may be part of a positive auto-regulatory feedback loop. The direct relationship between p53 and Cav-1 was also tested with HeLa cells (containing inactive p53), which expressed a significantly lower Cav-1 protein. A panel of nonfunctional and p53-deficient colon and epithelial breast cancer cell lines showed undetectable expression of Cav-1 supporting the role of p53 in the control of Cav-1. However, in two aggressively metastasizing breast cancer cell lines, Cav-1 was strongly expressed suggesting a possible role in tumor metastasis. Thus, there is a divergent control of Cav-1 expression as evidenced in non-cancerous Li-Fraumeni syndrome and some aggressive human cancer cell lines.

Caveolin 1 expression correlates with poor prognosis and focal adhesion kinase expression in gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

Caveolin 1 gene is known as a tumor promoter or suppressor, depending on the tumor type and/or tumor stage. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of caveolin 1 protein (Cav1) expression in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue array slides containing 405 GC specimens. The relationships between Cav1 expression and clinicopathological factors, prognosis, focal adhesion kinase expression, mucin phenotypes and p53 expression were analyzed.

RESULTS

In non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, Cav1 was not expressed in the epithelial compartment. In GC, positive staining of Cav1 was shown in 22 (5.4%) of 405 cases and was significantly higher in the advanced GC group than in the early GC group (p = 0.037). Also, it was significantly associated with advanced pTNM stage (p = 0.027) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018). Moreover, survival analysis showed that Cav1 expression was an independent prognostic factor of poor survival (p = 0.028). In addition, the expression of Cav1 was positively correlated with that of focal adhesion kinase (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the expression of Cav1 is significantly correlated with cancer progression and poor prognosis in GC. Thus, Cav1 could supplement its protein expression for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Involvement of the TGFβ pathway in the regulation of α5 β1 integrins by caveolin-1 in human glioblastoma

Caveolin-1 plays a crucial role in the development of cancer and its progression. We previously reported that glioblastoma cells expressing low levels of caveolin-1 exerted a more aggressive phenotype than cells expressing high levels. Such phenotype was due to the induction of α(5) β(1) integrin subsequent to the depletion of caveolin-1. Caveolin-1 was identified as a transcriptional repressor of α(5) β(1) integrin. The current study was designed to identify in vitro, the molecular mechanisms by which caveolin-1 controls α(5) β(1) integrin expression and to determine if a negative correlation between caveolin-1 and α(5) β(1) integrins also exists in biopsies and xenografted human brain tumors. We showed that depletion of caveolin-1 lead to the activation of the TGFβ/TGFβRI/Smad2 pathway which in turn induced the expression of α(5) β(1) integrins. We showed that cells expressing the lowest levels of caveolin-1 but the highest levels of α(5) β(1) integrins and TGFβRI were the most sensitive to a α(5) β(1) integrin antagonist and a TGFβRI inhibitor. Screening human glioma biopsies and human glioblastoma xenografts, we isolated subgroups with either low levels of caveolin-1 but high levels of α(5) β(1) integrin and TGFβRI or high levels of caveolin-1 but low levels of α(5) β(1) integrin and TGFβRI. In conclusion, caveolin-1 controls α(5) β(1) integrin expression through the TGFβ/TGFβRI/Smad2 pathway. The status of caveolin-1/α(5) β(1) integrins/TGFβRI might be a useful marker of the tumor evolution/prognosis as well as a predictor of anti-TGFβ or anti-α(5) β(1) integrin therapies.

p53 regulates Ki-67 promoter activity through p53- and Sp1-dependent manner in HeLa cells

The expression of the human Ki-67 protein, which is strictly associated with cell proliferation, is regulated by a variety of cellular mediators. In this study, we studied the effects of p53 on Ki-67 promoter in HeLa cells using luciferase reporter assay. The results showed that: (1) p53 inhibited Ki-67 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner, (2) the p53-binding motifs mediated part of the transcriptional repression of Ki-67 promoter through a sequence-specific interaction with p53, (3) p53 was able to repress the Sp1-stimulated Ki-67 promoter activity, and (4) the Sp1-binding sites were responsible for the p53-mediated transcriptional repression of Ki-67 promoter. In conclusion, p53 inhibited Ki-67 promoter activity via p53- and Sp1-dependent pathways, and the interaction between p53 and Sp1 might be involved in the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.

Specific targeting of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor signaling in human estrogen dependent breast cancer cell by a novel tyrosine-based benzoxazepine derivative

The present study sought to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a tyrosine-based benzoxazepine, 4-[4-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[f][1,4]oxazepin-3-ylmethyl]-phenol) [THBP] in human breast cancer cells, with a focus on determining its molecular target. THBP had growth inhibitory effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MD-231 cells. At IC(50) value (∼20 μM), THBP resulted in G1 arrest, decrease in cyclin D1 levels and induction of apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Mechanistically, activation of caspase 8 contributes critically to the induction of apoptotic cell death as copresence of selective inhibition of caspase 8 effectively abrogates the cytotoxic effect of THBP in MCF-7 cells. Further, THBP increased pro-apoptotic protein, Bax; decreased anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2; and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7 cells, indicating involvement of an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis following caspase 8 activation. Out of the various growth factors/hormones, THBP selectively abrogated increased viability of MCF-7 cells by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Molecular docking studies revealed that THBP occupied the ATP binding pocket of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). Accordingly THBP was found to inhibit IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of IGF-1R and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) without inhibiting insulin signaling in MCF-7 cells. In athymic nude mice, compared with vehicle, THBP treatment significantly reduced the growth of MCF-7 xenograft tumors through inhibition of cancer cell proliferation as well as promotion of cell death that correlated with reduced phospho-IGF-1R levels. We suggest that interfering with the IGF-1R signaling by the benzoxazepine THBP offers a novel and selective therapeutic strategy for estrogen receptor-positive, postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Involvement of Caveolin-1 in repair of DNA damage through both homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining

Background

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the major component of caveolae, is a 21–24 kDa integral membrane protein that interacts with a number of signaling molecules. By acting as a scaffolding protein, Cav-1 plays crucial roles in the regulation of various physiologic and patho-physiologic processes including oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis, and tumor invasion and metastasis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study we sought to explore the role of Cav-1 in response to DNA damage and the mechanism involved. We found that the level of Cav-1 was up-regulated rapidly in cells treated with ionizing radiation. The up-regulation of Cav-1 following DNA damage occurred only in cells expressing endogenous Cav-1, and was associated with the activation of DNA damage response pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the expression of Cav-1 protected cells against DNA damage through modulating the activities of both the homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair systems, as evidenced by the inhibitory effects of the Cav-1-targeted siRNA on cell survival, HR frequency, phosphorylation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), and nuclear translocation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) following DNA damage, and by the stimulatory effect of the forced expression of Cav-1 on NHEJ frequency.

Conclusion/Significance

Our results indicate that Cav-1 may play a critical role in sensing genotoxic stress and in orchestrating the response of cells to DNA damage through regulating the important molecules involved in maintaining genomic integrity.

Role of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein in insulin-like growth factor-i receptor up-regulation by sex steroids in prostate cancer cells

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) overexpression may play a role in prostate cancer progression. We found previously that, in prostate cancer cells, IGF-IR is up-regulated by both androgens and estrogens via a nongenotropic pathway. We now show that, in prostate cancer cells, stimulation with either androgens or estrogens up-regulates IGF-IR by inducing cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activation. Both sex steroids phosphorylated CREB at Ser(133) in a dose-dependent manner in androgen receptor (AR)-positive LNCaP cells, whereas only estrogens phosphorylated CREB in AR-negative PC3 cells. CREB phosphorylation involved c-Src-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, but not protein kinase A, protein kinase C, or calmodulin-dependent kinase II, and occurred also in cells transfected with AR or estrogen receptor mutants that do not localize into the nucleus. CREB silencing abrogated IGF-IR up-regulation and promoter activation. We also showed that CREB binds to IGF-IR promoter region and identified the relevant CREB-binding site at the 5'-untranslated region fragment of IGF-IR promoter. In conclusion, we describe a novel mechanism of IGF-IR up-regulation and promoter activity by CREB activation, induced by sex steroids, through a nongenotropic signaling.

Emerging role of insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibitors in oncology: early clinical trial results and future directions

Preclinical evidence that targeting the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) is effective in cancer treatment has been accumulating for almost two decades. Efforts to develop drugs began in the late 1990s, and initial data from clinical trials were reported in 2006. The biological rationale for IGF-IR targeting has potential relevance to many tumor types, and early results have justified expanded programs to evaluate IGF-IR-targeting agents in many areas of clinical need. More than two dozen drug candidates have been developed and clinical trials are underway for at least 12 of these. Early clinical trials reveal an acceptable safety profile together with pharmacodynamic evidence that the receptor can be successfully targeted. It is premature to draw conclusions regarding efficacy, but well-documented instances of single-agent activity were noted during phase I evaluations, and recent evidence from a phase II study suggests that co-administration of an anti-IGF-IR antibody with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer improves objective response rate and progression-free survival. With more than 70 trials involving a variety of drug candidates underway, the IGF-IR is becoming one of the most intensively investigated molecular targets in oncology. Early results justify the continuation of ongoing research across a broad range of cancer indications.

Caveolin-1 regulates glioblastoma aggressiveness through the control of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin expression and modulates glioblastoma responsiveness to SJ749, an alpha(5)beta(1) integrin antagonist

Caveolin-1 plays a checkpoint function in the regulation of processes often altered in cancer. Although increased expression of caveolin-1 seems to be the norm in the glioma family of malignancies, populations of caveolin-1 positive and negative cells coexist among glioblastoma specimens. As no data are available to date on the contribution of such cells to the phenotype of glioblastoma, we manipulated caveolin-1 in the glioblastoma cell line U87MG. We showed that caveolin-1 plays a critical role in the aggressiveness of glioblastoma. We identified integrins as the main set of genes affected by caveolin-1. We reported here that the phenotypic changes observed after caveolin-1 modulation were mediated by alpha(5)beta(1) integrins. As a consequence of the regulation of alpha(5)beta(1) levels by caveolin-1, the sensitivity of cells to the specific alpha(5)beta(1) integrin antagonist, SJ749, was affected. Mediator of caveolin-1 effects, alpha(5)beta(1) integrin, is also a marker for glioma aggressiveness and an efficient target for the treatment of glioma especially the ones exerting the highest aggressive phenotype.

Filamin A is a novel caveolin-1-dependent target in IGF-I-stimulated cancer cell migration

Caveolin-1 is an essential structural constituent of caveolae which is involved in regulation of mitogenic signaling and oncogenesis. Caveolin-1 has been implicated in cell migration but its exact role and mechanism of action in this process remained obscure. We have previously reported that expression of caveolin-1 in stably transfected MCF-7 human breast cancer (MCF-7/Cav1) cells up-regulates phosphorylation of a putative Akt substrate protein, designated pp340 [D. Ravid, S. Maor, H. Werner, M. Liscovitch, Caveolin-1 inhibits cell detachment-induced p53 activation and anoikis by upregulation of insulin-like growth factor-I receptors and signaling, Oncogene 24 (2005) 1338-1347.]. We now show, using differential detergent extraction, SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry, that the major protein in the pp340 band is the actin filament cross-linking protein filamin A. The identity of pp340 as filamin A was confirmed by immunoprecipitation of pp340 with specific filamin A antibodies. RT-PCR, flow cytometry and Western blot analyses show that filamin A mRNA and protein levels are respectively 3.5- and 2.5-fold higher in MCF-7/Cav1 cells than in MCF-7 cells. Basal filamin A phosphorylation on Ser-2152, normalized to total filamin A levels, is 7.8-fold higher in MCF-7/Cav1 than in MCF-7 cells. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates phosphorylation of filamin A on Ser-2152 in MCF-7 cells and further enhances Ser-2152 phosphorylation over its already high basal level in MCF-7/Cav1 cells. The effect of IGF-I is inhibited by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, indicating that IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of filamin A occurs via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments have confirmed a previous report showing that filamin A and caveolin-1 co-exist in a complex and have revealed the presence of active phospho-Akt in this complex. Ser-2152 phosphorylation of filamin A has been implicated in cancer cell migration. Accordingly, caveolin-1 expression dramatically enhances IGF-I-dependent MCF-7 cell migration. These data indicate that caveolin-1 specifies filamin A as a novel target for Akt-mediated filamin A Ser-2152 phosphorylation thus mediating the effects of caveolin-1 on IGF-I-induced cancer cell migration.

Caveats of caveolin-1 in cancer progression

Caveolin-1, an essential scaffold protein of caveolae and cellular transport processes, lately gained recognition as a stage- and tissue-specific tumor modulator in vivo. Patient studies and rodent models corroborated its janus-faced role as a tumor suppressor in non-neoplastic tissue, its down-regulation (loss of function) upon transformation and its re-expression (regain of function) in advanced-stage metastatic and multidrug resistant tumors. This review is focussed on the role of caveolin-1 in metastasis and angiogenesis and its clinical implications as a prognostic marker in cancer progression.

Lipid rafts and caveolae in signaling by growth factor receptors

Lipid rafts and caveolae are microdomains of the plasma membrane enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, and hence are less fluid than the remainder of the membrane. Caveolae have an invaginated structure, while lipid rafts are flat regions of the membrane. The two types of microdomains have different protein compositions (growth factor receptors and their downstream molecules) suggesting that lipid rafts and caveolae have a role in the regulation of signaling by these receptors. The purpose of this review is to discuss this model, and the implications that it might have regarding a potential role for lipid rafts and caveolae in human cancer. Particular attention will be paid to the epidermal growth factor receptor, for which the largest amount of information is available. It has been proposed that caveolins act as tumor suppressors. The role of lipid rafts is less clear, but they seem to be capable of acting as 'signaling platforms', in which signal initiation and propagation can occur efficiently.

Expression of Caveolin-1 reduces cellular responses to TGF-beta1 through down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta type II receptor gene in NIH3T3 fibroblast cells

Transcriptional repression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta type II receptor (TbetaRII) gene has been proposed to be one of the major mechanisms leading to TGF-beta resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) gene in NIH3T3 fibroblast cells down-regulates the expression of TbetaRII gene in the transcriptional level, eventually resulting in the decreased responses to TGF-beta. The reduced expression of TbetaRII gene by Cav-1 appeared to be due to the changes of the sequence-specific DNA binding proteins to either Positive Regulatory Element 1 (PRE1) or PRE2 of the TbetaRII promoter. In addition, Cav-1 expression inhibited TGF-beta-mediated cellular proliferation and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene expression as well as TGF-beta-induced luciferase activity. Furthermore, the inhibition of endogeneous Cav-1 by small interfering RNA increased the expression of TbetaRII gene. These findings strongly suggest that expression of Cav-1 leads to the decreased cellular responsiveness to TGF-beta through down-regulating TbetaRII gene expression.