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Pipili A, Babteen NA, Kuwair L, Jannet MB, Quist J, Ong KKV, Pitaluga R, Grigoriadis AG, Tutt A, Wells CM. PAK6 acts downstream of IQGAP3 to promote contractility in triple negative breast cancer cells. Cell Signal 2024:111233. [PMID: 38763182 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. During genomic analysis of breast tumours, mRNA levels of IQGAP3 were found to be upregulated in triple negative tumours. IQGAP3 was subsequently found to be expressed across a panel of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Depleting expression levels of IQGAP3 delivered elongated cells, disrupted cell migration, and inhibited the ability of cells to form specialised invasive adhesion structures, termed invadopodia. The morphological changes induced by IQGAP3 depletion were found to be dependent on RhoA. Indeed, reduced expression of IQGAP3 disrupted RhoA activity and actomyosin contractility. Interestingly, IQGAP3 was also found to interact with p-21 activated kinase 6 (PAK6); a protein already associated with the regulation of cell morphology. Moreover, PAK6 depletion phenocopied IQGAP3 depletion in these cells. Whereas PAK6 overexpression rescued the IQGAP3 depletion phenotype. Our work points to an important PAK6-IQGAP3-RhoA pathway that drives the cellular contractility of breast cancer cells promoting both cell migration and adhesive invasion of these cells. As this phenotype is relevant to the process of metastasis and re-seeding of metastasis, the pharmacological targeting of PAK6 could lead to clinical benefit in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Pipili
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Nouf A Babteen
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK; Department of Biological Science, Collage of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lujain Kuwair
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Mahfuja Bulu Jannet
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Jelmar Quist
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Karine K V Ong
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Ryan Pitaluga
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Anita G Grigoriadis
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Tutt
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK; Tony Robins Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK.
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2
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Samain R, Maiques O, Monger J, Lam H, Candido J, George S, Ferrari N, KohIhammer L, Lunetto S, Varela A, Orgaz JL, Vilardell F, Olsina JJ, Matias-Guiu X, Sarker D, Biddle A, Balkwill FR, Eyles J, Wilkinson RW, Kocher HM, Calvo F, Wells CM, Sanz-Moreno V. CD73 controls Myosin II-driven invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression in amoeboid pancreatic cancer cells. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadi0244. [PMID: 37851808 PMCID: PMC10584351 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a very poor prognosis because of its high propensity to metastasize and its immunosuppressive microenvironment. Using a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines, three-dimensional (3D) invasion systems, microarray gene signatures, microfluidic devices, mouse models, and intravital imaging, we demonstrate that ROCK-Myosin II activity in PDAC cells supports a transcriptional program conferring amoeboid invasive and immunosuppressive traits and in vivo metastatic abilities. Moreover, we find that immune checkpoint CD73 is highly expressed in amoeboid PDAC cells and drives their invasive, metastatic, and immunomodulatory traits. Mechanistically, CD73 activates RhoA-ROCK-Myosin II downstream of PI3K. Tissue microarrays of human PDAC biopsies combined with bioinformatic analysis reveal that rounded-amoeboid invasive cells with high CD73-ROCK-Myosin II activity and their immunosuppressive microenvironment confer poor prognosis to patients. We propose targeting amoeboid PDAC cells as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Samain
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Oscar Maiques
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Joanne Monger
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hoyin Lam
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
- GSK, R&D Portfolio, Strategy and Business Insights, GSK House, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS, UK
| | - Juliana Candido
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Samantha George
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Tumour Microenvironment Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Early Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leonie KohIhammer
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Sophia Lunetto
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Adrian Varela
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jose L. Orgaz
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Felip Vilardell
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Jorge Juan Olsina
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Xavier Matias-Guiu
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- IRBLLEIDA, IDIBELL, University Hospita of Bellvitge, CIBERONC, Lleida, Spain
| | - Debashis Sarker
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Frances R. Balkwill
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jim Eyles
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | | | - Hemant M. Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Barts and the London HPB Centre, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Tumour Microenvironment Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia de Cantabria, c/ Albert Einstein 22, E39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Claire M. Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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Best M, Gale ME, Wells CM. PAK-dependent regulation of actin dynamics in breast cancer cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 146:106207. [PMID: 35385780 PMCID: PMC9941713 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic Breast Cancer has a poor 25% survival rate and currently there are no clinical therapeutics which target metastasis. 'Migrastatics' are a new drug class which target migration pathway effector proteins in order to inhibit cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are essential drivers of breast cancer cell migration and invasion through their regulation of actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Therefore, the PAKs present as attractive migrastatic candidates. Here we review how PAKs regulate distinct aspects of breast cancer actin dynamics focussing on cytoskeletal reorganisation, cell:matrix adhesion, actomyosin contractility and degradative invasion. Lastly, we discuss the introduction of PAK migrastatics into the well-honed breast cancer clinical pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Best
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London UK.
| | - Madeline E. Gale
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London UK,North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London UK
| | - Claire M. Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London UK,Corresponding author.
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4
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Manuelli V, Cahill F, Wylie H, Gillett C, Correa I, Heck S, Rimmer A, Haire A, Van Hemelrijck M, Rudman S, Wells CM. Invadopodia play a role in prostate cancer progression. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:386. [PMID: 35397545 PMCID: PMC8994910 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09424-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Invadopodia, actin-rich structures that release metallo-proteases at the interface with extra-cellular matrix, in a punctate manner are thought to be important drivers of tumour invasion. Invadopodia formation has been observed in-vitro and in-vivo in numerous metastatic cell lines derived from multiple tumour types. However, prostate cancer cell lines have not been routinely reported to generate invadopodia and the few instances have always required external stimulation. Methods In this study, the invasive potential of primary prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines, which have never been fully characterised before, was investigated both in-vitro invadopodia assays and in-vivo zebrafish dissemination assay. Subsequently, circulating tumour cells from prostate cancer patients were isolated and tested in the invadopodia assay. Results Retention of E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression indicated a transitional state of EMT progression, consistent with the idea of partial EMT that has been frequently observed in aggressive prostate cancer. All cell lines tested were capable of spontaneous invadopodia formation and possess a significant degradative ability in-vitro under basal conditions. These cell lines were invasive in-vivo and produced visible metastasis in the zebrafish dissemination assay. Importantly we have proceeded to demonstrate that circulating tumour cells isolated from prostate cancer patients exhibit invadopodia-like structures and degrade matrix with visible puncta. This work supports a role for invadopodia activity as one of the mechanisms of dissemination employed by prostate cancer cells. Conclusion The combination of studies presented here provide clear evidence that invadopodia activity can play a role in prostate cancer progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09424-4.
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Saldivar-Cerón HI, Villamar-Cruz O, Wells CM, Oguz I, Spaggiari F, Chernoff J, Patiño-López G, Huerta-Yepez S, Montecillo-Aguado M, Rivera-Pazos CM, Loza-Mejía MA, Vivar-Sierra A, Briseño-Díaz P, Zentella-Dehesa A, Leon-Del-Rio A, López-Saavedra A, Padierna-Mota L, Ibarra-Sánchez MDJ, Esparza-López J, Hernández-Rivas R, Arias-Romero LE. p21-Activated Kinase 1 Promotes Breast Tumorigenesis via Phosphorylation and Activation of the Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:759259. [PMID: 35111748 PMCID: PMC8802317 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.759259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-Activated kinase-1 (Pak1) is frequently overexpressed and/or amplified in human breast cancer and is necessary for transformation of mammary epithelial cells. Here, we show that Pak1 interacts with and phosphorylates the Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII), and that pharmacological inhibition or depletion of Pak1 leads to diminished activity of CaMKII. We found a strong correlation between Pak1 and CaMKII expression in human breast cancer samples, and combined inhibition of Pak1 and CaMKII with small-molecule inhibitors was synergistic and induced apoptosis more potently in Her2 positive and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Co-adminstration of Pak and CaMKII small-molecule inhibitors resulted in a dramatic reduction of proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in a 3D cell culture setting, as well as an impairment in migration and invasion of TNBC cells. Finally, mice bearing xenografts of TNBC cells showed a significant delay in tumor growth when treated with small-molecule inhibitors of Pak and CaMKII. These data delineate a signaling pathway from Pak1 to CaMKII that is required for efficient proliferation, migration and invasion of mammary epithelial cells, and suggest new therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor I Saldivar-Cerón
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico.,Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Olga Villamar-Cruz
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Oguz
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Spaggiari
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Genaro Patiño-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Inmunología y Proteómica, Hospital Infantil de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sara Huerta-Yepez
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mayra Montecillo-Aguado
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Clara M Rivera-Pazos
- Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncológicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marco A Loza-Mejía
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad La Salle-México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vivar-Sierra
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad La Salle-México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola Briseño-Díaz
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa
- Programa de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico.,Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Leon-Del-Rio
- Programa de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro López-Saavedra
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Padierna-Mota
- UNe Aplicaciones Biológicas, Laboratorios de Especialidades Inmunologicas, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María de Jesús Ibarra-Sánchez
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José Esparza-López
- Unidad de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosaura Hernández-Rivas
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis E Arias-Romero
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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De Piano M, Manuelli V, Zadra G, Loda M, Muir G, Chandra A, Morris J, Van Hemelrijck M, Wells CM. Exploring a role for fatty acid synthase in prostate cancer cell migration. Small GTPases 2020; 12:265-272. [PMID: 33043786 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2020.1826781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is commonly overexpressed in prostate cancer and associated with tumour progression. FASN is responsible for de novo synthesis of the fatty acid palmitate; the building block for protein palmitoylation. A functional role for FASN in regulating cell proliferation is widely accepted. We recently reported that FASN activity can also mediate prostate cancer HGF-mediated cell motility. Moreover, we found that modulation of FASN expression specifically impacts on the palmitoylation of RhoU. Findings we will describe here. We now report that loss of FASN expression also impairs HGF-mediated cell dissociation responses. Taken together our results provide compelling evidence that FASN activity directly promotes cell migration and supports FASN as a potential therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario De Piano
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Valeria Manuelli
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Giorgia Zadra
- Departments of Oncologic Pathology and Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Massimo Loda
- Departments of Oncologic Pathology and Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Gordon Muir
- Urology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ash Chandra
- Cellular Pathology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Morris
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | - Claire M Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
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7
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Foxall E, Staszowska A, Hirvonen LM, Georgouli M, Ciccioli M, Rimmer A, Williams L, Calle Y, Sanz-Moreno V, Cox S, Jones GE, Wells CM. PAK4 Kinase Activity Plays a Crucial Role in the Podosome Ring of Myeloid Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3385-3393.e6. [PMID: 31825823 PMCID: PMC6915307 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
p21-Activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a serine/threonine kinase, is purported to localize to podosomes: transient adhesive structures that degrade the extracellular matrix to facilitate rapid myeloid cell migration. We find that treatment of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-differentiated monocytic (THP-1) cells with a PAK4-targeted inhibitor significantly reduces podosome formation and induces the formation of focal adhesions. This switch in adhesions confers a diminution of matrix degradation and reduced cell migration. Furthermore, reduced PAK4 expression causes a significant reduction in podosome number that cannot be rescued by kinase-dead PAK4, supporting a kinase-dependent role. Concomitant with PAK4 depletion, phosphorylation of Akt is perturbed, whereas a specific phospho-Akt signal is detected within the podosomes. Using superresolution analysis, we find that PAK4 specifically localizes in the podosome ring, nearer to the actin core than other ring proteins. We propose PAK4 kinase activity intersects with the Akt pathway at the podosome ring:core interface to drive regulation of macrophage podosome turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Foxall
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adela Staszowska
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Liisa M Hirvonen
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mirella Georgouli
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alexander Rimmer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lynn Williams
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Yolanda Calle
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK; Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Susan Cox
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gareth E Jones
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Claire M Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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8
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Xu L, Faruqu FN, Lim YM, Lim KY, Liam-Or R, Walters AA, Lavender P, Fear D, Wells CM, Tzu-Wen Wang J, Al-Jamal KT. Exosome-mediated RNAi of PAK4 prolongs survival of pancreatic cancer mouse model after loco-regional treatment. Biomaterials 2020; 264:120369. [PMID: 32977209 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With a dismal survival rate, pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most aggressive and devastating malignancies, predominantly due to the absence of a valid biomarker for diagnosis and limited therapeutic options for advanced diseases. Exosomes (Exo) as cell-derived vesicles, are widely used as natural nanocarriers for drug delivery. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is oncogenic when overexpressed, promoting cell survival, migration and anchorage-independent growth. Herein we validated PAK4 as a therapeutic target in an in vivo PC tumour mouse model using Exo-mediated RNAi following intra-tumoural administration. PC derived Exo were firstly isolated by ultracentrifugation on sucrose cushion and characterised for their surface marker expression, size, number, purity and morphology. SiRNA was encapsulated into Exo via electroporation and dual uptake of Exo and siRNA was investigated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. In vitro siPAK4 silencing in PC cells following uptake was assessed by flow cytometry, western blotting, and in vitro scratch assay. In vivo efficacy (tumour growth delay and mouse survival) of siPAK4 was evaluated in PC bearing NSG mouse model. Ex vivo tumours were examined using Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Results showed high quality PC-derived PANC-1 Exo were obtained. SiRNA was incorporated in Exo with 16.5% encapsulation efficiency. In vitro imaging confirmed Exo and siRNA co-localisation in cells. PAK4 knockdown was successful with 30 nM Exo-siPAK4 at 24 h post incubation in vitro. Intra-tumoural administration of Exo-siPAK4 (0.03 mg/kg siPAK4 and 6.1 × 1011 Exo, each dose, two doses) reduced PC tumour growth in vivo and enhanced mice survival (p < 0.001), with minimal toxicity observed compared to polyethylenimine (PEI) used as a commercial transfection reagent. H&E staining of tumours showed significant tissue apoptosis in siPAK4 treated groups. PAK4 knockdown prolongs survival of PC-bearing mice suggesting its potential as a new therapeutic target for PC. PANC-1 Exo demonstrated comparable efficacy but safer profile than PEI as in vivo RNAi transfection reagent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhou Xu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Farid N Faruqu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Yau M Lim
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Kee Y Lim
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Revadee Liam-Or
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Adam A Walters
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Lavender
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - David Fear
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Wells
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Tzu-Wen Wang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Khuloud T Al-Jamal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
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Foxall E, Staszowska A, Hirvonen LM, Georgouli M, Ciccioli M, Rimmer A, Williams L, Calle Y, Sanz-Moreno V, Cox S, Jones GE, Wells CM. PAK4 Kinase Activity Plays a Crucial Role in the Podosome Ring of Myeloid Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107593. [PMID: 32320648 PMCID: PMC7184668 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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10
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Benzing C, Lam H, Tsang CM, Rimmer A, Arroyo-Berdugo Y, Calle Y, Wells CM. TIMP-2 secreted by monocyte-like cells is a potent suppressor of invadopodia formation in pancreatic cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:1214. [PMID: 31836008 PMCID: PMC6911299 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6429-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monocytes are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the complex interactions between tumor cells and monocytes and their role in tumor invasion have not been fully established. METHODS To specifically test the impact of interaction on invasive potential two PDAC cell lines PaTu8902 and CFPAC-1 were selected on their ability to form invasive adhesions, otherwise known as invadopodia and invade in a spheroid invasion assay. RESULTS Interestingly when the PDAC cells were co-cultured with undifferentiated THP1 monocyte-like cells invadopodia formation was significantly suppressed. Moreover, conditioned media of THP1 cells (CM) was also able to suppress invadopodia formation. Further investigation revealed that both tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and 2 were present in the CM. However, suppression of invadopodia formation was found that was specific to TIMP2 activity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that TIMP2 levels in the tumour microenvironment may have prognostic value in patients with PDAC. Furthermore, activation of TIMP2 expressing monocytes in the primary tumour could present a potential therapeutic opportunity to suppress cell invasion in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Benzing
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunts House, Kings College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.,Department of Surgery, Campus Charité-Mitte and Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hoyin Lam
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunts House, Kings College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hongkong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Alexander Rimmer
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunts House, Kings College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | | | - Yolanda Calle
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New Hunts House, Kings College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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11
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Patel N, Hatch D, Wells CM, Ahn D, Harris M, Jennings JA, Haggard W, Armstrong DG. Characteristics and clinical assessment of antibiotic delivery by chitosan sponge in the high-risk diabetic foot: a case series. J Wound Care 2019; 26:S32-S38. [PMID: 28379101 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2017.26.sup4.s32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The local delivery of antimicrobials is attractive for a number of reasons. Chitosan, a biodegradable polysaccharide sponge material, has been proposed as medium to deliver antibiotics directly to wounds. In this report we evaluate the safety and practicality of antimicrobial delivery via chitosan sponge. METHOD We present the clinical course and systemic absorption characteristics of three cases of people with diabetic foot wounds treated with antibiotic soaked chitosan sponge (Sentrex BioSponge, Bionova Medical, Germantown, TN). The antibiotic sponge was made by reconstituting 1.2g tobramycin or 100mg doxycycline in 10-15ml saline and saturating the sponge with the solution. The sponge was then applied to the wounds. Serum levels of each respective antibiotic were evaluated after application. Additional in vitro studies were conducted evaluating elution of antibiotics from the chitosan sponge at established minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus over 28 days. RESULTS No patient experienced adverse local or systemic effects due to the sponge treatment. The measured serum levels applied antibiotics remained far less than established minimums after intravenous therapy. Each patient required further treatment, however local infection or contamination resolved during the course of their hospital stay after the chitosan/antibiotic application. CONCLUSION The use of antibiotic-impregnated chitosan sponges appears a safe and effective mechanism of local delivery of antimicrobials in wounds. Future studies and clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these results and to guide clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Patel
- Tucson Medical Center/Midwestern University Podiatry Residency, 5301 E. Grant Road, Tucson Arizona, 85733, US
| | - D Hatch
- Tucson Medical Center/Midwestern University Podiatry Residency, 5301 E. Grant Road, Tucson Arizona, 85733, US
| | - C M Wells
- MS student, The University of Memphis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 330 Engineering Technology, 3796 Norriswood Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, US
| | - D Ahn
- Undergraduate Student, The University of Memphis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 330 Engineering Technology, 3796 Norriswood Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, US
| | - M Harris
- Undergraduate Student, The University of Memphis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 330 Engineering Technology, 3796 Norriswood Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, US
| | - J A Jennings
- The University of Memphis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 330 Engineering Technology, 3796 Norriswood Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, US
| | - W Haggard
- The University of Memphis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 330 Engineering Technology, 3796 Norriswood Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38152, US
| | - D G Armstrong
- University of Arizona Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), 1501 N. Campbell Ave, PO box 245018, Tucson, AZ, 85724, US
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12
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Thillai K, Lam H, Sarker D, Wells CM. Deciphering the link between PI3K and PAK: An opportunity to target key pathways in pancreatic cancer? Oncotarget 2017; 8:14173-14191. [PMID: 27845911 PMCID: PMC5355171 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of personalised therapies has ushered in a new and exciting era of cancer treatment for a variety of solid malignancies. Yet pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has failed to benefit from this paradigm shift, remaining notoriously refractory to targeted therapies. Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of management but can offer only modest survival benefits of a few months with 5-year survival rates rarely exceeding 3%. Despite these disappointing statistics, significant strides have been made towards understanding the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, with deep genomic sequencing identifying novel genetic aberrations and key signalling pathways. The PI3K-PDK1-AKT pathway has received great attention due to its prominence in carcinogenesis. However, efforts to target several components of this network have resulted in only a handful of drugs demonstrating any survival benefit in solid tumors; despite promising pre-clinical results. p-21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a gene that is recurrently amplified or overexpressed in PDAC and both PAK4 and related family member PAK1, have been linked to aberrant RAS activity, a common feature in pancreatic cancer. As regulators of PI3K, PAKs have been highlighted as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the biology of pancreatic cancer and the close interaction between PAKs and the PI3K pathway. We also suggest proposals for future research that may see the development of effective targeted therapies that could finally improve outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiruthikah Thillai
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hoyin Lam
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debashis Sarker
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Dagliyan O, Karginov AV, Yagishita S, Gale ME, Wang H, DerMardirossian C, Wells CM, Dokholyan NV, Kasai H, Hahn KM. Engineering Pak1 Allosteric Switches. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1257-1262. [PMID: 28365983 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are important regulators of cell motility and morphology. It has been challenging to interrogate their functions because cells adapt to genetic manipulation of PAK, and because inhibitors act on multiple PAK isoforms. Here we describe genetically encoded PAK1 analogues that can be selectively activated by the membrane-permeable small molecule rapamycin. An engineered domain inserted away from the active site responds to rapamycin to allosterically control activity of the PAK1 isoform. To examine the mechanism of rapamycin-induced PAK1 activation, we used molecular dynamics with graph theory to predict amino acids involved in allosteric communication with the active site. This analysis revealed allosteric pathways that were exploited to generate kinase switches. Activation of PAK1 resulted in transient cell spreading in metastatic breast cancer cells, and long-term dendritic spine enlargement in mouse hippocampal CA1 neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrei V. Karginov
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Sho Yagishita
- Center
for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunko-ku,
Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Madeline E. Gale
- Division
of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, England, U.K
| | | | - Celine DerMardirossian
- Department
of Cell and Molecular Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Claire M. Wells
- Division
of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, England, U.K
| | | | - Haruo Kasai
- Center
for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunko-ku,
Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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14
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Abstract
PAK1 and PAK4 are members of the p-21 activated kinase family of serine/threonine kinases. PAK1 has previously been implicated in both the formation and disassembly of invasive cell protrusions, termed invadopodia. We recently reported a novel role for PAK4 during invadopodia maturation and confirmed a specific role for PAK1 in invadopodia formation; findings we will review here. Moreover, we found that PAK4 induction of maturation is delivered via interaction with the RhoA regulator PDZ-RhoGEF. We can now reveal that loss of PAK4 expression leads to changes in invadopodia dynamics. Ultimately we propose that PAK4 but not PAK1 is a key mediator of RhoA activity and provide further evidence that modulation of PAK4 expression levels leads to changes in RhoA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Nicholas
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK.,b National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London , London , UK
| | - Aikaterini Pipili
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK.,b National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London , London , UK
| | - Michaela S Lesjak
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK
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15
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King H, Thillai K, Whale A, Arumugam P, Eldaly H, Kocher HM, Wells CM. PAK4 interacts with p85 alpha: implications for pancreatic cancer cell migration. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42575. [PMID: 28205613 PMCID: PMC5312077 DOI: 10.1038/srep42575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is amplified in pancreatic cancer tissue. PAK4 is a member of the PAK family of serine/threonine kinases, which act as effectors for several small GTPases, and has been specifically identified to function downstream of HGF-mediated c-Met activation in a PI3K dependent manner. However, the functionality of PAK4 in pancreatic cancer and the contribution made by HGF signalling to pancreatic cancer cell motility remain to be elucidated. We now find that elevated PAK4 expression is coincident with increased expression levels of c-Met and the p85α subunit of PI3K. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pancreatic cancer cells have a specific motility response to HGF both in 2D and 3D physiomimetic organotypic assays; which can be suppressed by inhibition of PI3K. Significantly, we report a specific interaction between PAK4 and p85α and find that PAK4 deficient cells exhibit a reduction in Akt phosphorylation downstream of HGF signalling. These results implicate a novel role for PAK4 within the PI3K pathway via interaction with p85α. Thus, PAK4 could be an essential player in PDAC progression representing an interesting therapeutic opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen King
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Andrew Whale
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, UK
| | - Prabhu Arumugam
- Barts Cancer Institute, a CRUK centre of Excellance, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Hesham Eldaly
- Dept of Haematopathology Oncology Diagnostic Service, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Barts Cancer Institute, a CRUK centre of Excellance, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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16
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Maglorius Renkilaraj MRL, Baudouin L, Wells CM, Doulazmi M, Wehrlé R, Cannaya V, Bachelin C, Barnier JV, Jia Z, Nait Oumesmar B, Dusart I, Bouslama-Oueghlani L. The intellectual disability protein PAK3 regulates oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 98:137-148. [PMID: 27940202 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte and myelin deficits have been reported in mental/psychiatric diseases. The p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3), a serine/threonine kinase, whose activity is stimulated by the binding of active Rac and Cdc42 GTPases is affected in these pathologies. Indeed, many mutations of Pak3 gene have been described in non-syndromic intellectual disability diseases. Pak3 is expressed mainly in the brain where its role has been investigated in neurons but not in glial cells. Here, we showed that PAK3 is highly expressed in oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) and its expression decreases in mature oligodendrocytes. In the developing white matter of the Pak3 knockout mice, we found defects of oligodendrocyte differentiation in the corpus callosum and to a lesser extent in the anterior commissure, which were compensated at the adult stage. In vitro experiments in OPC cultures, derived from Pak3 knockout and wild type brains, support a developmental and cell-autonomous role for PAK3 in regulating OPC differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes. Moreover, we did not detect any obvious alterations of the proliferation or migration of Pak3 null OPCs compared to wild type. Overall, our data highlight PAK3 as a new regulator of OPC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Baudouin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | | | - Mohamed Doulazmi
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Adaptation Biologique et vieillissement, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Rosine Wehrlé
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neuroscience Paris Seine, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Vidjeacoumary Cannaya
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neuroscience Paris Seine, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Corinne Bachelin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institute of Neuroscience Paris-Saclay, CNRS-Université Paris-Sud, UMR9197, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 555 University, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Brahim Nait Oumesmar
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Dusart
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neuroscience Paris Seine, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Lamia Bouslama-Oueghlani
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neuroscience Paris Seine, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, F-75013 Paris, France.
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17
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Nicholas NS, Pipili A, Lesjak MS, Ameer SM, Geh JLC, Healy C, Ross ADM, Parsons M, Nestle FO, Lacy KE, Wells CM. PAK4 suppresses PDZ-RhoGEF activity to drive invadopodia maturation in melanoma cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:70881-70897. [PMID: 27765920 PMCID: PMC5342596 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are thought to use actin rich invadopodia to facilitate matrix degradation. Formation and maturation of invadopodia requires the co-ordained activity of Rho-GTPases, however the molecular mechanisms that underlie the invadopodia lifecycle are not fully elucidated. Previous work has suggested a formation and disassembly role for Rho family effector p-21 activated kinase 1 (PAK1) however, related family member PAK4 has not been explored. Systematic analysis of isoform specific depletion using in vitro and in vivo invasion assays revealed there are differential invadopodia-associated functions. We consolidated a role for PAK1 in the invadopodia formation phase and identified PAK4 as a novel invadopodia protein that is required for successful maturation. Furthermore, we find that PAK4 (but not PAK1) mediates invadopodia maturation likely via inhibition of PDZ-RhoGEF. Our work points to an essential role for both PAKs during melanoma invasion but provides a significant advance in our understanding of differential PAK function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Nicholas
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aikaterini Pipili
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michaela S. Lesjak
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Simon M. Ameer
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jenny L. C. Geh
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ciaran Healy
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Division, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Frank O. Nestle
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
- St Johns Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Katie E. Lacy
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
- St Johns Institute of Dermatology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Claire M. Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
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18
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Al-Mahdi R, Babteen N, Thillai K, Holt M, Johansen B, Wetting HL, Seternes OM, Wells CM. A novel role for atypical MAPK kinase ERK3 in regulating breast cancer cell morphology and migration. Cell Adh Migr 2016; 9:483-94. [PMID: 26588708 PMCID: PMC4955959 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2015.1112485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ERK3 is an atypical Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK6). Despite the fact that the Erk3 gene was originally identified in 1991, its function is still unknown. MK5 (MAP kinase- activated protein kinase 5) also called PRAK is the only known substrate for ERK3. Recently, it was found that group I p21 protein activated kinases (PAKs) are critical effectors of ERK3. PAKs link Rho family of GTPases to actin cytoskeletal dynamics and are known to be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. In this study we demonstrate that ERK3 protein levels are elevated as MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells adhere to collagen I which is concomitant with changes in cellular morphology where cells become less well spread following nascent adhesion formation. During this early cellular adhesion event we observe that the cells retain protrusive activity while reducing overall cellular area. Interestingly exogenous expression of ERK3 delivers a comparable reduction in cell spread area, while depletion of ERK3 expression increases cell spread area. Importantly, we have detected a novel specific endogenous ERK3 localization at the cell periphery. Furthermore we find that ERK3 overexpressing cells exhibit a rounded morphology and increased cell migration speed. Surprisingly, exogenous expression of a kinase inactive mutant of ERK3 phenocopies ERK3 overexpression, suggesting a novel kinase independent function for ERK3. Taken together our data suggest that as cells initiate adhesion to matrix increasing levels of ERK3 at the cell periphery are required to orchestrate cell morphology changes which can then drive migratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Al-Mahdi
- a Department of Pharmacy ; UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Tromsø , Norway
| | - Nouf Babteen
- b Division of Cancer Studies; New Hunts House ; Guy's Campus; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Kiruthikah Thillai
- b Division of Cancer Studies; New Hunts House ; Guy's Campus; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Mark Holt
- c Randall Division for Cell and Molecular Biophysics and Cardiovascular Division; King's College London ; London , UK
| | - Bjarne Johansen
- a Department of Pharmacy ; UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Tromsø , Norway
| | - Hilde Ljones Wetting
- a Department of Pharmacy ; UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Tromsø , Norway
| | - Ole-Morten Seternes
- a Department of Pharmacy ; UiT The Arctic University of Norway ; Tromsø , Norway
| | - Claire M Wells
- b Division of Cancer Studies; New Hunts House ; Guy's Campus; King's College London ; London , UK
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19
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Lagoutte E, Villeneuve C, Lafanechère L, Wells CM, Jones GE, Chavrier P, Rossé C. LIMK Regulates Tumor-Cell Invasion and Matrix Degradation Through Tyrosine Phosphorylation of MT1-MMP. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24925. [PMID: 27116935 PMCID: PMC4847008 DOI: 10.1038/srep24925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During their metastatic spread, cancer cells need to remodel the extracellular matrix in order to migrate through stromal compartments adjacent to the primary tumor. Dissemination of breast carcinoma cells is mediated by membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP14), the main invadopodial matrix degradative component. Here, we identify MT1-MMP as a novel interacting partner of dual-specificity LIM Kinase-1 and -2 (LIMK1/2), and provide several evidence for phosphorylation of tyrosine Y573 in the cytoplasmic domain of MT1-MMP by LIMK. Phosphorylation of Y573 influences association of F-actin binding protein cortactin to MT1-MMP-positive endosomes and invadopodia formation and matrix degradation. Moreover, we show that LIMK1 regulates cortactin association to MT1-MMP-positive endosomes, while LIMK2 controls invadopodia-associated cortactin. In turn, LIMK1 and LIMK2 are required for MT1-MMP-dependent matrix degradation and cell invasion in a three-dimensional type I collagen environment. This novel link between LIMK1/2 and MT1-MMP may have important consequences for therapeutic control of breast cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Lagoutte
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Membrane and Cytoskeleton Dynamics, 75248 cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Clémentine Villeneuve
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Membrane and Cytoskeleton Dynamics, 75248 cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Lafanechère
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U823, Institut Albert Bonniot, CRI, Team 3 "Polarity, Development and Cancer", F-38000 Grenoble France
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth E Jones
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Chavrier
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Membrane and Cytoskeleton Dynamics, 75248 cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Carine Rossé
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144, Membrane and Cytoskeleton Dynamics, 75248 cedex 05, Paris, France
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20
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Dart AE, Box GM, Court W, Gale ME, Brown JP, Pinder SE, Eccles SA, Wells CM. PAK4 promotes kinase-independent stabilization of RhoU to modulate cell adhesion. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:863-79. [PMID: 26598620 PMCID: PMC4657161 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201501072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PAK4, via a novel kinase-independent mechanism, protects RhoU from a Rab40A/Cullin 5 ubiquitin ligase complex–driven K48 ubiquitination to regulate breast cancer cell adhesion. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a Cdc42 effector protein thought to regulate cell adhesion disassembly in a kinase-dependent manner. We found that PAK4 expression is significantly higher in high-grade human breast cancer patient samples, whereas depletion of PAK4 modifies cell adhesion dynamics of breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, systematic analysis of PAK4 functionality revealed that PAK4-driven adhesion turnover is neither dependent on Cdc42 binding nor kinase activity. Rather, reduced expression of PAK4 leads to a concomitant loss of RhoU expression. We report that RhoU is targeted for ubiquitination by the Rab40A–Cullin 5 complex and demonstrate that PAK4 protects RhoU from ubiquitination in a kinase-independent manner. Overexpression of RhoU rescues the PAK4 depletion phenotype, whereas loss of RhoU expression reduces cell adhesion turnover and migration. These data support a new kinase-independent mechanism for PAK4 function, where an important role of PAK4 in cellular adhesions is to stabilize RhoU protein levels. Thus, PAK4 and RhoU cooperate to drive adhesion turnover and promote cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Dart
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - Gary M Box
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - William Court
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Madeline E Gale
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - John P Brown
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Sarah E Pinder
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Suzanne A Eccles
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
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Makowska KA, Hughes RE, White KJ, Wells CM, Peckham M. Specific Myosins Control Actin Organization, Cell Morphology, and Migration in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cell Rep 2015; 13:2118-25. [PMID: 26670045 PMCID: PMC4688110 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the myosin expression profile in prostate cancer cell lines and found that Myo1b, Myo9b, Myo10, and Myo18a were expressed at higher levels in cells with high metastatic potential. Moreover, Myo1b and Myo10 were expressed at higher levels in metastatic tumors. Using an siRNA-based approach, we found that knockdown of each myosin resulted in distinct phenotypes. Myo10 knockdown ablated filopodia and decreased 2D migration speed. Myo18a knockdown increased circumferential non-muscle myosin 2A-associated actin filament arrays in the lamella and reduced directional persistence of 2D migration. Myo9b knockdown increased stress fiber formation, decreased 2D migration speed, and increased directional persistence. Conversely, Myo1b knockdown increased numbers of stress fibers but did not affect 2D migration. In all cases, the cell spread area was increased and 3D migration potential was decreased. Therefore, myosins not only act as molecular motors but also directly influence actin organization and cell morphology, which can contribute to the metastatic phenotype. Myo1b, Myo9b, Myo10, and Myo18a are highly expressed in metastatic prostate cancer Knockdown of individual myosins distinctly affects the cytoskeleton and cell migration Myosins act in concert to directly influence actin organization and cell migration Misregulation of myosin expression may drive the metastatic phenotype
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna A Makowska
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Ruth E Hughes
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Kathryn J White
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Michelle Peckham
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Poland SP, Krstajić N, Coelho S, Tyndall D, Walker RJ, Devauges V, Morton PE, Nicholas NS, Richardson J, Li DDU, Suhling K, Wells CM, Parsons M, Henderson RK, Ameer-Beg SM. Time-resolved multifocal multiphoton microscope for high speed FRET imaging in vivo. Opt Lett 2014; 39:6013-6. [PMID: 25361143 DOI: 10.1364/ol.39.006013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Imaging the spatiotemporal interaction of proteins in vivo is essential to understanding the complexities of biological systems. The highest accuracy monitoring of protein-protein interactions is achieved using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging, with measurements taking minutes to acquire a single frame, limiting their use in dynamic live cell systems. We present a diffraction limited, massively parallel, time-resolved multifocal multiphoton microscope capable of producing fluorescence lifetime images with 55 ps time-resolution, giving improvements in acquisition speed of a factor of 64. We present demonstrations with FRET imaging in a model cell system and demonstrate in vivo FLIM using a GTPase biosensor in the zebrafish embryo.
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Buhr TL, Young AA, Johnson CA, Minter ZA, Wells CM. Decontamination of materials contaminated with Francisella philomiragia or MS2 bacteriophage using PES-Solid, a solid source of peracetic acid. J Appl Microbiol 2014; 117:397-404. [PMID: 24807242 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the study was to develop test methods and evaluate survival of Francisella philomiragia cells and MS2 bacteriophage after exposure to PES-Solid (a solid source of peracetic acid) formulations with or without surfactants. METHODS AND RESULTS Francisella philomiragia cells (≥7·6 log10 CFU) or MS2 bacteriophage (≥6·8 log10 PFU) were deposited on seven different test materials and treated with three different PES-Solid formulations, three different preneutralized samples and filter controls at room temperature for 15 min. There were 0-1·3 log10 CFU (<20 cells) of cell survival, or 0-1·7 log10 (<51 PFU) of bacteriophage survival in all 21 test combinations (organism, formulation and substrate) containing reactive PES-Solid. In addition, the microemulsion (Dahlgren Surfactant System) showed ≤2 log10 (100 cells) of viable F. philomiragia cells, indicating the microemulsion achieved <2 log10 CFU on its own. CONCLUSIONS Three PES-Solid formulations and one microemulsion system (DSS) inactivated F. philomiragia cells and/or MS2 bacteriophage that were deposited on seven different materials. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY A test method was developed to show that reactive PES-Solid formulations and a microemulsion system (DSS) inactivated >6 log10 CFU/PFU F. philomiragia cells and/or MS2 bacteriophage on different materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Buhr
- CBR Concepts and Experimentation Branch (Z21), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, VA, USA
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Prokop EJ, Crigler JR, Wells CM, Young AA, Buhr TL. Response surface modeling for hot, humid air decontamination of materials contaminated with Bacillus anthracis ∆Sterne and Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam spores. AMB Express 2014; 4:21. [PMID: 24949256 PMCID: PMC4052701 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-014-0021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Response surface methodology using a face-centered cube design was used to describe and predict spore inactivation of Bacillus anthracis ∆Sterne and Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam spores after exposure of six spore-contaminated materials to hot, humid air. For each strain/material pair, an attempt was made to fit a first or second order model. All three independent predictor variables (temperature, relative humidity, and time) were significant in the models except that time was not significant for B. thuringiensis Al Hakam on nylon. Modeling was unsuccessful for wiring insulation and wet spores because there was complete spore inactivation in the majority of the experimental space. In cases where a predictive equation could be fit, response surface plots with time set to four days were generated. The survival of highly purified Bacillus spores can be predicted for most materials tested when given the settings for temperature, relative humidity, and time. These predictions were cross-checked with spore inactivation measurements.
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Fram S, King H, Sacks DB, Wells CM. A PAK6-IQGAP1 complex promotes disassembly of cell-cell adhesions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 71:2759-73. [PMID: 24352566 PMCID: PMC4059965 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1528-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
p-21 activated 6 (PAK6), first identified as interacting with the androgen receptor (AR), is over-expressed in multiple cancer tissues and has been linked to the progression of prostate cancer, however little is known about PAK6 function in the absence of AR signaling. We report here that PAK6 is specifically required for carcinoma cell–cell dissociation downstream of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for both DU145 prostate cancer and HT29 colon cancer cells. Moreover, PAK6 overexpression can drive cells to escape from adhesive colonies in the absence of stimulation. We have localized PAK6 to cell–cell junctions and have detected a direct interaction between the kinase domain of PAK6 and the junctional protein IQGAP1. Co-expression of IQGAP1 and PAK6 increases cell colony escape and leads to elevated PAK6 activation. Further studies have identified a PAK6/E-cadherin/IQGAP1 complex downstream of HGF. Moreover, we find that β-catenin is also localized with PAK6 in cell–cell junctions and is a novel PAK6 substrate. We propose a unique role for PAK6, independent of AR signaling, where PAK6 drives junction disassembly during HGF-driven cell–cell dissociation via an IQGAP1/E-cadherin complex that leads to the phosphorylation of β-catenin and the disruption of cell–cell adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Fram
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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Abstract
During tumour progression, oxygen tension in the microenvironment surrounding tumour cells is reduced, resulting in hypoxia. It is well established that cancer cells resist the negative effects of hypoxia by inducing angiogenesis predominantly via the activity of transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). However, more recently HIF-1α has also been linked to increased invasive potential, although the molecular mechanisms remain to be defined. Invasive cancer cells are thought to employ membrane protrusions, termed invadopodia, to achieve matrix degradation. While many invadopodia components have been identified, signalling pathways that link extracellular stimuli to invadopodia formation remain largely unknown. Indeed, the relationship between invadopodia formation and HIF-1α has not been explored. We now report that HIF-1α is a driver of invadopodia formation. Furthermore, we have identified an important, direct and novel link between the Rho family activator β-PIX, HIF-1α and invadopodia formation. Indeed, we find that β-PIX expression is essential for invadopodia formation. In conclusion, we identify a new HIF-1α mechanistic pathway and suggest that β-PIX is a novel downstream signalling mediator during invadopodia formation.
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Dart AE, Wells CM. P21-activated kinase 4--not just one of the PAK. Eur J Cell Biol 2013; 92:129-38. [PMID: 23642861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a member of the p21-activated kinase (PAK) family. Historically much of the attention has been directed towards founding family member PAK1 but the focus is now shifting towards PAK4. It is a pluripotent serine/threonine kinase traditionally recognised as a downstream effector of the Rho-family GTPases. However, emerging research over the last few years has revealed that this kinase is much more than that. New findings have shed light on the molecular mechanism of PAK4 activation and how this kinase is critical for early development. Moreover, the number of PAK4 substrates and binding partners is rapidly expanding highlighting the increasing amount of cellular functions controlled by PAK4. We propose that PAK4 should be considered a signalling integrator regulating numerous fundamental cellular processes, including actin cytoskeletal dynamics, cell morphology and motility, cell survival, embryonic development, immune defence and oncogenic transformation. This review will outline our current understanding of PAK4 biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Dart
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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Abstract
Macrophage migration and infiltration is an important first step in many pathophysiological processes, in particular inflammatory diseases. Redox modulation of the migratory signalling processes has been reported in endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. However the redox modulation of the migratory process in macrophages and in particular that from the NADPH oxidase-2 (Nox2) dependent ROS has not been established. To investigate the potential role of Nox2 in the migratory response of macrophages, bone marrow derived macrophages were obtained from WT and NOX2 knockout mice (Nox2KO) and subjected to CSF-1 stimulation. We report here that loss of Nox2 expression in BMM resulted in a significant reduction in the CSF-1 induced spreading response suggesting that Nox2 can modulate cytoskeletal events. Moreover, Nox2KO BMMs were deficient in cellular displacement in the presence of CSF-1. More significantly, when challenged with a gradient of CSF-1, Nox2KO BMMs showed a complete loss of chemotaxis accompanied by a reduction in cell migration speed and directional migration persistence. These results point to a specific role for Nox2KO downstream of CSF-1 during the BMM migratory response. Indeed, we have further found that Nox2KO BMMs display a significant reduction in the levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation following stimulation with CSF-1.Thus Nox2 is important in BMM cellular motion to CSF-1 stimulation and necessary for their directed migration towards a CSF-1 gradient, highlighting Nox2 dependent signalling as a potential anti-inflammatory target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Chaubey
- Cardiovascular Division, The James Black Centre, King’s College London BHF Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth E. Jones
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay M. Shah
- Cardiovascular Division, The James Black Centre, King’s College London BHF Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison C. Cave
- Cardiovascular Division, The James Black Centre, King’s College London BHF Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M. Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Whale AD, Dart A, Holt M, Jones GE, Wells CM. PAK4 kinase activity and somatic mutation promote carcinoma cell motility and influence inhibitor sensitivity. Oncogene 2012; 32:2114-20. [PMID: 22689056 PMCID: PMC3446866 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-Met) are associated with cancer cell motility and invasiveness. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a potential therapeutic target, is recruited to and activated by c-Met. In response, PAK4 phosphorylates LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) in an HGF-dependent manner in metastatic prostate carcinoma cells. PAK4 overexpression is known to induce increased cell migration speed but the requirement for kinase activity has not been established. We have used a panel of PAK4 truncations and mutations in a combination of over-expression and RNAi rescue experiments to determine the requirement for PAK4 kinase activity during carcinoma cell motility downstream of HGF. We find that neither the kinase domain alone nor a PAK4 mutant unable to bind Cdc42 is able to fully rescue cell motility in a PAK4-deficient background. Nevertheless, we find that PAK4 kinase activity and associated LIMK1 activity are essential for carcinoma cell motility, highlighting PAK4 as a potential anti-metastatic therapeutic target. We also show here that overexpression of PAK4 harboring a somatic mutation, E329K, increased the HGF-driven motility of metastatic prostate carcinoma cells. E329 lies within the G-loop region of the kinase. Our data suggest E329K mutation leads to a modest increase in kinase activity conferring resistance to competitive ATP inhibitors in addition to promoting cell migration. The existence of such a mutation may have implications for the development of PAK4-specific competitive ATP inhibitors should PAK4 be further explored for clinical inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Whale
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
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Wells CM, Edwards AM, Winter EM, Fysh ML, Drust B. Sport-specific fitness testing differentiates professional from amateur soccer players where VO2max and VO2 kinetics do not. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2012; 52:245-254. [PMID: 22648462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this study was to identify if sport-specific and cardiopulmonary exercise testing differentiated professional from amateur soccer players. METHODS Thirty six men comprising 18 professional (mean±s: age 23.2±2.4 years) and 18 amateur (mean±SD: age 21.1±1.6 years) soccer players participated and performed four tests on separate occasions: 1) a graded exercise test to determine VO2max; 2) four exercise transients from walking to 80%Δ for the determination of VO2 kinetics; 3) the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) and 4) a repeated sprint test (RST). RESULTS The players did not differ in VO2max (professional 56.5±2.9 mL.kg-1.min-1; amateur 55.7±3.5 mL.kg-1.min-1: P=0.484) or VO2 kinetic fundamental measures (τ1 onset, professional 24.5±3.2 s; amateur 24.0±1.8 s: τ1 cessation, professional 28.7±2.8 s; amateur 29.3±3.5 s: P=0.923). However, the amateurs were outperformed in the Yo-Yo IR2 (Professional 966±153 m; Amateur 840±156 m) (P=0.034) and RST (best time, professional 6.46±0.27 s; amateur 6.84±0.24 s, P=0.012). CONCLUSION Performance indices derived from field-based sport-specific performance tests identified significant differences between professional and amateur players (P<0.05). However, neither tests of VO2 kinetics nor VO2max differentiated between groups, suggesting laboratory tests of cardiorespiratory parameters are probably less consequential to soccer than sport-specific field-based observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wells
- Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, Sheffield, UK.
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Abstract
Cancer cell metastasis involves a series of changes in cell behaviour, driven by oncogenic transformation, that leads to local tissue invasion, migration through extracellular matrix, entry into the vascular or lymphatic system and colonisation of distant sites. It is well established that the Rho family GTPases Rho, Rac and Cdc42 orchestrate many of the processes required during metastasis. The Rho family GTPases regulate cellular behaviour through their interaction with downstream effector proteins. The p-21 activated kinases (PAKs), effector proteins for Rac and Cdc42, are known to be important regulators of cell migration and invasion. There are six mammalian PAKs which can be divided into two groups: group I PAKs (PAK1-3) and group II PAKs (PAK4-6). Although the two PAK groups are architecturally similar there are differences in their mode of regulation suggesting their cellular functions are likely to be different. This review will focus on the latest evidence relating to the role of PAK family kinases in the cell signalling pathways that drive cancer cell migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Whale
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London
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Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multi-stage process whereby epithelial cells lose their cell:cell adhesions and acquire the capacity to migrate independently. It is a process that is important in normal development and is thought to be adopted by some invasive cancer cells. EMT requires modifications in cell shape and substratum adhesions and these events are dependent on the reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mitogenic growth factor that is well known to induce such a conversion, termed "cell scattering", in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Recently, we have developed an alternative model of cell scattering using the human prostate cancer cell line, DU145. Like MDCK cells, DU145 cells normally grow as tight colonies with firm cell:cell junctions, but they can be induced to 'scatter' upon HGF stimulation. Here, we describe the optimised protocol for conducting and analysing an HGF-induced DU145 scatter assay. This model is particularly useful for monitoring changes in actin cytoskeletal organisation and dynamics, cell:cell adhesions, and cell migration in human cells that respond to HGF stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally T Fram
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, UK
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Abstract
The directed migration of cells (chemotaxis) occurs not only during wound healing and inflammatory responses but also during embryonic development. However, the intracellular signaling pathways that enable a cell to detect a chemoattractant and subsequently migrate toward the source are not clearly defined. The Dunn chemotaxis chamber in conjunction with time-lapse microscopy is a powerful tool that enables the user to observe directly the morphological response of cells to a chemoattractant in real time. Here, using the Dunn chemotaxis chamber, we describe the response of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages to colony stimulating factor-1. This is a particularly useful protocol as it can be adapted to study bone marrow-derived macrophages isolated from genetically modified mice and thus study the requirement of a specific protein in cell migration and chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Chaubey
- Division of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
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Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is associated with tumour progression and increases the invasiveness of prostate carcinoma cells. Migration and invasion require coordinated reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton and regulation of cell-adhesion dynamics. Rho-family GTPases orchestrate both of these cellular processes. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a specific effector of the Rho GTPase Cdc42, is activated by HGF, and we have previously shown that activated PAK4 induces a loss of both actin stress fibres and focal adhesions. We now report that DU145 human prostate cancer cells with reduced levels of PAK4 expression are unable to successfully migrate in response to HGF, have prominent actin stress fibres, and an increase in the size and number of focal adhesions. Moreover, these cells have a concomitant reduction in cell-adhesion turnover rates. We find that PAK4 is localised at focal adhesions, is immunoprecipitated with paxillin and phosphorylates paxillin on serine 272. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PAK4 can regulate RhoA activity via GEF-H1. Our results suggest that PAK4 is a pluripotent kinase that can regulate both actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and focal-adhesion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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Wagner GW, Procell LR, Sorrick DC, Lawson GE, Wells CM, Reynolds CM, Ringelberg DB, Foley KL, Lumetta GJ, Blanchard DL. All-Weather Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Decontamination of CBRN Contaminants. Ind Eng Chem Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1021/ie9019177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George W. Wagner
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Lawrence R. Procell
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - David C. Sorrick
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Glenn E. Lawson
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Claire M. Wells
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Charles M. Reynolds
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - David B. Ringelberg
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Karen L. Foley
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - Gregg J. Lumetta
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
| | - David L. Blanchard
- U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5150, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-1290, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington 99352
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Abstract
Cancer cells migrating within a 3D microenvironment are able to adopt either a mesenchymal or amoeboid mode of migration. Amoeboid migration is characterised by membrane blebbing that is dependent on the Rho effectors, ROCK1/2. We identify LIMK2 as the preferred substrate for ROCK1 but find that LIMK2 did not induce membrane blebbing, suggesting that a LIMK2 pathway is not involved in amoeboid-mode migration. In support of this hypothesis, novel FRET data demonstrate a direct interaction between ROCK1 and LIMK2 in polarised but not blebbing cells. Our results point to a specific role for the ROCK1:LIMK2 pathway in mesenchymal-mode migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry F. Shea
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- AstraZeneca, Cancer and Infection Research Area, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M. Wells
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Garner
- AstraZeneca, Cancer and Infection Research Area, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth E. Jones
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Wheeler AP, Wells CM, Smith SD, Vega FM, Henderson RB, Tybulewicz VL, Ridley AJ. Rac1 and Rac2 regulate macrophage morphology but are not essential for migration. J Cell Sci 2006; 119:2749-57. [PMID: 16772332 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.03024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rac GTPases are believed to contribute to migration in leukocytes by transducing signals from cell surface receptors to the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Mammals have three closely related Rac isoforms, Rac1, Rac2 and Rac3, and it is widely assumed that cell migration requires the activity of these Rac GTPases. We have previously shown that Rac1-null mouse macrophages have altered cell shape and reduced membrane ruffling but normal migration speed. Here we investigate the behaviour of macrophages lacking Rac2 (Rac2(-/-)) or Rac1 and Rac2 (Rac1/2(-/-)). Rac2(-/-) macrophages have reduced F-actin levels and lack podosomes, which are integrin-based adhesion sites, and their migration speed is similar to or slightly slower than wild-type macrophages, depending on the substrate. Unexpectedly, Rac1/2(-/-) macrophages, which do not express Rac1, Rac2 or Rac3, migrate at a similar speed to wild-type macrophages on a variety of substrates and perform chemotaxis normally, although their morphology and mode of migration is altered. However, Rac1(-/-) and Rac1/2(-/-) but not Rac2(-/-) macrophages are impaired in their ability to invade through Matrigel. Together, these data show that Rac1 and Rac2 have distinct roles in regulating cell morphology, migration and invasion, but are not essential for macrophage migration or chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann P Wheeler
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Free and University College School of Medicine, 91 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7BS, UK
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Abstract
An important process in embryogenesis and cancer-cell metastasis is the conversion of epithelial cells to a migratory phenotype, a phenomenon known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (E-MT). To achieve E-MT, cells dissociate from neighbouring cells and adopt a migratory morphology. This transition requires remodelling of their cell shape and substratum adhesions; activities that require extensive reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced scattering of Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells is a routinely used model of E-MT, in which actin cytoskeletal rearrangement is known to be dependent on Rho family GTPases. We have developed a novel model of HGF-induced E-MT using the human prostate cancer cell line, DU145. This model overcomes the limitation of using a canine cell line and facilitates the study of E-MT in human cancer. We demonstrate for the first time the scattering response of individual DU145 cells to HGF in real time and have characterised changes in actin cytoskeletal organisation and cell adhesions as these cells respond to HGF. HGF-induced scattering of DU145 cells is dependent on the activity of Rho family GTPases, and using this model, we are able to demonstrate for the first time that endogenous Cdc42 is activated downstream of HGF. Furthermore we have also shown that the response of DU145 cells to HGF is dependent on a phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wells
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Wells CM, Bhavsar PJ, Evans IR, Vigorito E, Turner M, Tybulewicz V, Ridley AJ. Vav1 and Vav2 play different roles in macrophage migration and cytoskeletal organization. Exp Cell Res 2005; 310:303-10. [PMID: 16137676 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2004] [Revised: 07/25/2005] [Accepted: 07/29/2005] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vav family proteins act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho family proteins, which are known to orchestrate cytoskeletal changes and cell migration in response to extracellular stimuli. Using mice deficient for Vav1, Vav2 and/or Vav3, overlapping and isoform-specific functions of the three Vav proteins have been described in various hematopoietic cell types, but their roles in regulating cell morphology and migration have not been studied in detail. To investigate whether Vav isoforms have redundant or unique functions in regulating adhesion and migration, we investigated the properties of Vav1-deficient and Vav2-deficient macrophages. Both Vav1-deficient and Vav2-deficient cells have a smaller adhesive area; yet, only Vav1-deficient cells have a reduced migration speed, which coincides with a lower level of microtubules. Vav2-deficient macrophages display a high level of constitutive membrane ruffling, but neither Vav1 nor Vav2 is required for colony stimulating factor-1-induced membrane ruffling and cell spreading. Our results suggest that the migration speed of macrophages is regulated independently of spread area or membrane ruffling and that Vav1 is selectively required to maintain a normal migration speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Wells
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Free and University College Medical School Branch, 91 Riding House Street, London W1W 7BS, UK
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Abstract
The directed migration of cells (chemotaxis) occurs not only during wound healing and inflammatory responses but also during embryonic development. However, the intracellular signaling pathways that enable a cell to detect a chemoattractant and subsequently migrate toward the source are not clearly defined. The Dunn chemotaxis chamber in conjunction with time-lapse microscopy is a powerful tool that enables the user to observe directly the morphological response of cells to a chemoattractant in real time. Here, we describe using the Dunn chemotaxis chamber to study the response of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages to colony stimulating factor-1. This is a particularly useful protocol as it can be adapted to study bone marrow-derived macrophages isolated from genetically modified mice and thus study the requirement for a specific protein in cell migration and chemotaxis.
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Wells CM, Walmsley M, Ooi S, Tybulewicz V, Ridley AJ. Rac1-deficient macrophages exhibit defects in cell spreading and membrane ruffling but not migration. J Cell Sci 2004; 117:1259-68. [PMID: 14996945 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac GTPases are activated by extracellular stimuli and contribute to cellular responses including cytoskeletal changes and cell migration. Dominant-negative Rac1 has been used to implicate Rac GTPases in these responses, but which of the three mammalian Rac isoforms it inhibits is not known. We show that mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages express Rac1, low levels of Rac2 but not Rac3. As Rac1-null mice die early in development, we have used mice with a loxP-flanked allele of Rac1 and the type I interferon-inducible Mx1-Cre transgene to address for the first time the specific role of Rac1 in cell motility. Bone marrow-derived macrophages isolated from mice treated with polyIC to induce interferon lack detectable Rac1, and there is no compensatory increase in Rac2 or Cdc42 expression. Rac1-deficient macrophages have an altered morphology: they are significantly more elongated than control cells and have a reduced adhesive area. Re-expression of Rac1 reverts the morphology to that of control cells. Loss of Rac1 reduces but does not completely prevent membrane ruffling in response to CSF-1. However, Rac1-deficient macrophages show normal migration and chemotaxis. Thus in macrophages Rac1 is primarily responsible for regulating cell morphology, contributes to membrane ruffling, but is not required for migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Wells
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Free and University College Medical School Branch, 91 Riding House Street, London WIW 7BS, UK
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42
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Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are divided into two subgroups based on sequence homology. Group 1 PAKs (PAK1-3) are involved in cell migration, and are activated by pro-migratory stimuli and by Cdc42/Rac GTPases. In contrast,little is known about the regulation of the recently identified group II PAKs(PAK4-6). Here we report that PAK4 is activated by HGF, a migratory stimulus for epithelial cells. In unstimulated MDCK cells, activated PAK4 induces a decrease in stress fibres, and when cells are stimulated with HGF, it induces a loss of focal complexes and cell rounding. This response is dependent on PAK4 kinase activity but does not require Cdc42 interaction. Activated PAK4 localises to the cell periphery but not specifically in lamellipodia, and HGF induces localisation of wild-type PAK4 to the cell periphery. LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, inhibits HGF-induced PAK4 kinase activation, relocalisation, and cell rounding. However, the isolated C-terminal kinase domain of PAK4 can induce cell rounding in the presence of LY294002, suggesting that the N-terminal region acts as a negative regulator of PAK4 activity. These results indicate that HGF stimulates PAK4 through PI3K, and that PAK4 could contribute to HGF-induced changes in actin organisation and cell-substratum adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Wells
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Free and University College Medical School Branch, 91 Riding House Street, London WIW 7BS, UK
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Coates EL, Wells CM, Smith RP. Identification of carbonic anhydrase activity in bullfrog olfactory receptor neurons: histochemical localization and role in CO2 chemoreception. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 1998; 182:163-74. [PMID: 9463917 DOI: 10.1007/s003590050167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the frequency and distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in the bullfrog nasal cavities, and (2) whether inhibition of nasal CA affects the olfactory receptor response to CO2 or other odorants. It was found, using Hansson's staining technique, that some olfactory receptor neurons exhibited CA activity and that these CA-positive receptors were distributed throughout the nasal cavity with peak densities in the dorsal and ventral sensory epithelial regions. To test for the role of CA in olfactory transduction, electro-olfacto-grams (EOGs) were recorded from the surface of the ventral sensory epithelium in response to 2-s pulses of 5% CO2 and amyl acetate before and after topical CA inhibition with acetazolamide (10(-3) mol.l-1). In 52 bullfrogs, 1222 sites on the ventral epithelium were tested resulting in 23 locations that exhibited a response to 5% CO2. Inhibition of CA caused an immediate 65% reduction in the EOG response to CO2 while the response to amyl acetate was not affected. These results, along with the histochemical localization of CA in some olfactory receptor neurons, indicate that CA plays a role in the detection of CO2 in frog olfactory neurons and that only a small population of olfactory receptor neurons are CO2 sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Coates
- Department of Biology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA 16335, USA.
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Chen BL, Arakawa T, Morris CF, Kenney WC, Wells CM, Pitt CG. Aggregation pathway of recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor and its stabilization. Pharm Res 1994; 11:1581-7. [PMID: 7870675 DOI: 10.1023/a:1018905720139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rhKGF) is prone to aggregation at elevated temperatures. Its aggregation pathway is proposed to proceed initially with a conformational change which perhaps results from repulsion between positively charged residues in clusters forming heparin binding sites. Unfolding of the protein leads to formation of large soluble aggregates. These soluble aggregates then form disulfide cross-linked precipitates. Finally these precipitates are converted to scrambled disulfides and/or non-disulfide cross-linked precipitates. Stabilizers such as heparin, sulfated polysaccharides, anionic polymers and citrate can greatly decrease the rate of aggregation of rhKGF at elevated temperatures. These molecules may all act by reducing charge repulsion on the protein thus stabilizing the native conformation. EDTA, on the other hand, is found to inhibit disulfide formation in aggregates and has only a moderate stabilizing effect on rhKGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
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Wells CM, Mackie TR, Podgorsak MB, Holmes MA, Papanikolaou N, Reckwerdt PJ, Cygler J, Rogers DW, Bielajew AF, Schmidt DG. Measurements of the electron dose distribution near inhomogeneities using a plastic scintillation detector. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1994; 29:1157-65. [PMID: 8083086 DOI: 10.1016/0360-3016(94)90413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Accurate measurement of the electron dose distribution near an inhomogeneity is difficult with traditional dosimeters which themselves perturb the electron field. We tested the performance of a new high resolution, water-equivalent plastic scintillation detector which has ideal properties for this application. METHODS AND MATERIALS A plastic scintillation detector with a 1 mm diameter, 3 mm long cylindrical sensitive volume was used to measure the dose distributions behind standard benchmark inhomogeneities in water phantoms. The plastic scintillator material is more water equivalent than polystyrene in terms of its mass collision stopping power and mass scattering power. Measurements were performed for beams of electrons having initial energies of 6 and 18 MeV at depths from 0.2-4.2 cm behind the inhomogeneities. RESULTS The detector reveals hot and cold spots behind heterogeneities at resolutions equivalent to typical film digitizer spot sizes. Plots of the dose distributions behind air, aluminum, lead, and formulations for cortical and inner bone-equivalent materials are presented. CONCLUSION The plastic scintillation detector is suited for measuring the electron dose distribution near an inhomogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wells
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Medical Physics, Madison 53706
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Abstract
To examine whether manipulating self-efficacy affects strength performance on a bench press, and to see if these situation-specific changes would affect levels of physical self-efficacy, 24 undergraduates untrained in weightlifting were randomly assigned to three groups: 'light', who lifted less weight than they believed; 'heavy', who lifted more weight than they believed; and control, for whom there was no manipulation. Self-efficacy measures were taken before and after the manipulation. Physical self-efficacy was measured using the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE). 'Light' subjects lifted significantly greater increases in weight than the other subjects. 'Heavy' subjects significantly decreased self-efficacy following the manipulation. Initial self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of baseline maximum, while manipulated self-efficacy was significant for performance change. The PSE scores did not change pre- to post-study. The results suggest that self-efficacy is a situation-specific construct which can be manipulated, and which relates to both past performance experience and future performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wells
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802
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Abstract
The amidase activity of human alpha-thrombin has been studied at steady state as a function of the concentration of several chloride salts, at a constant ionic strength I = 0.2 M. All kinetic steps of the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme have been solved by studies conducted as a function of relative viscosity of the solution. Among all monovalent cations, Na+ is the most effective in activating thrombin catalysis. This effect is observed with different amide substrates and also with gamma-thrombin, a proteolytic derivative of the native enzyme which has little clotting activity but retains amidase activity toward small synthetic substrates. The specific effects observed as a function of Na+ concentration are indicative of a binding interaction of this monovalent cation with the enzyme. The basis of this interaction has been explored by measurements of substrate hydrolysis collected in a three-dimensional matrix of substrate concentration, relative viscosity, and Na+ concentration, keeping the ionic strength constant with an inert cation such as choline or tetraethylammonium. The data have globally been analyzed in terms of a kinetic linkage scheme where Na+ plays the role of an allosteric effector. The properties of the enzyme change drastically upon binding of Na+, with substrate binding and dissociation, as well as deacylation, occurring on a time scale which is 1 order of magnitude faster. The apparent association constants for Na+ binding to the various intermediate forms of the enzyme have all been resolved from analysis of experimental data and are in the range of 50-100 M-1 at 25 degrees C. Studies conducted at different temperatures, in the range 15-35 degrees C, have revealed the enthalpic and entropic components of Na+ binding to the enzyme. The results obtained from steady-state measurements are supported by independent measurements of the intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme as a function of Na+ concentration at a constant ionic strength I = 0.2 M, over the temperature range 15-35 degrees C. These measurements are indicative of a drastic conformational change of the enzyme upon Na+ binding to a single site. The energetics of Na+ binding derived from analysis of fluorescence measurements agree very well with those derived independently from steady-state determinations. It is proposed that thrombin exists in two conformations, slow and fast, and that the slow-->fast transition is triggered by binding of a monovalent cation. The high specificity in thrombin activation found in the case of Na+ is the result of its higher affinity compared to all other monovalent cations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wells
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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