Role of RAC GTPase in Tumor Motility and Metastasis.

Abstract

The integrins regulate cell adhesion, spreading and motility in response to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Rac GTPase, one member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, induces membrane ruffles. We showed that adhesion activates Rac and its downstream target, p21-activated kinase (PAK), and PAK is required for integrin-mediated cell spread and migration. Rac GTPase can regulate cell migration independent of MAP kinase by reorganizing actin cytoskeleton, it also cooperates with Raf kinase to activate MAP kinase and promote motility. Using adenoviral gene delivery system, we showed that Ras induced integrin-dependent angiogenesis. These results indicate that Rac GTPase and PAK, play important roles in tumor cell motility, metastasis and angiogenesis.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA354624

Entities

People

  • Jie Leng

Organizations

  • Scripps Research

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adhesion
  • Angiogenesis
  • Blood
  • Blood Vessels
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemistry
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Gene Delivery
  • Membranes
  • Neoplasms

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics