Role of Rho GTPases in Breast Cancer Migration and Invasion.

摘要

Rho-family GTPases are the major regulators of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. Regulators of the GTPases include GEFs and GAPs, which control activation and deactivation, respectively, of this family of molecular switches. This study explores the role of the GEF Tiam2 in breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion, which was initially discovered using a siRNA screen in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Protein expression studies are performed using a panel of cell lines, revealing that Tiam2 expression is upregulated in Ras mutant cells. Additionally, Tiam2 depletion causes MDA-MB- 231 cells to form fewer colonies in soft agar colony formation assays. A specific role for Tiam2 in tumor formation and proliferation in mouse models remains to be elucidated. This work adds insight into the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells invade into surrounding tissue and eventually result in death.