Abstract
The interaction between vimentin and plectin was examined by immunoprecipitation. The spatial correlation between vimentin, plectin and F-actin in BCa cells was analyzed by confocal microscopy. To evaluate the functions of invadopodia, cells were assayed for extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, Matrigel invasion, transendothelial invasion and lung metastasis. RESULTS: In invasive BCa cells, the expression levels of vimentin and plectin were elevated and the vimentin IF-plectin-invadopodia F-actin link was formed. Disruption of this link severely impaired invadopodia formation, reducing the capacities of ECM degradation, Matrigel invasion, transendothelial invasion and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest that plectin anchoring invadopodia to vimentin IF scaffolds and stabilizes invadopodia, which is a critical molecular step for BCa cell invasion and extravasation for metastasis.
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