Analysis of the Role of Cortactin in Tumor Cell Invasion

Abstract

Breast cancer is frequently associated with gene amplification at the chromosome 11 q 13. Studies have demonstrated that cortactin (also EMS1), a filamentous actin (F-actin) associated protein and a substrate of protein tyrosine kinase Src, plays an important role in the amplification. However, the pathological role of cortactin in breast cancer is unknown. We have developed a form of cortactin mutant that is deficient in tyrosine phosphorylation and is no longer to be regulated by Src. The mutant and wild-type forms of cortactin and oncogenic Src were introduced into MDA-MB-231 cells, a highly invasive breast cancer cell line. Overexpression of wild-type cortactin or oncogenic Src potentiate the motility of the cells, while overexpression of the mutant form impairs the cell migration as well as cell invasion into extracellular matrix. This study indicates that cortactin may play an important role in metastasis associated with breast cancer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA383070

Entities

People

  • Xi Zhan

Organizations

  • American Red Cross

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Biological Factors
  • Blood
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Culture Techniques
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Fungi
  • Neoplasms
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Proteins
  • Tyrosine

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

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