Vesicle amine transport protein‐1 (VAT‐1) is upregulated in glioblastomas and promotes migration

Abstract

Aim: Diffuse invasion of single‐glioma cells is the main obstacle to successful therapy of these tumours. After identifying vesicle amine transport protein‐1 (VAT‐1) as being upregulated in invasive human gliomas, we study its possible function in glioblastoma cell migration. Methods: Based on data obtained from previous oligonucleotide arrays, we investigated expression of VAT‐1 in glioblastoma tissue and cell lines on mRNA levels using reverse transcriptase PCR. Furthermore, we examined the amount and localization of VAT‐1 protein using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Using small interfering RNA technology we repressed VAT‐1 expression in human glioma cell lines and analysed their migration using wound healing and transwell migration assays. Results: Increased VAT‐1 mRNA and protein levels were found in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines compared with normal human brain. Small interfering RNA‐mediated VAT‐1 knockdown led to significantly reduced migration of human glioma cells. Conclusions: VAT‐1 is overexpressed in glioblastomas and functionally involved in glioma cell migration, representing a new component involved in glioma invasion.