Focal Adhesion Turnover Research Articles

Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Commonality and Diversity.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are considered to be a useful tool for regenerative medicine, owing to their capabilities in differentiation, self-renewal, and immunomodulation. These cells have become a focus in the clinical setting due to their abundance and easy isolation. However, ASCs from different depots are not well characterized. Here, we analyzed the functional similarities and differences of subcutaneous and visceral ASCs. Subcutaneous ASCs have an extraordinarily directed mode of motility and a highly dynamic focal adhesion turnover, even though they share similar surface markers, whereas visceral ASCs move in an undirected random pattern with more stable focal adhesions. Visceral ASCs have a higher potential to differentiate into adipogenic and osteogenic cells when compared to subcutaneous ASCs. In line with these observations, visceral ASCs demonstrate a more active sonic hedgehog pathway that is linked to a high expression of cilia/differentiation related genes. Moreover, visceral ASCs secrete higher levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor α relative to subcutaneous ASCs. These findings highlight, that both ASC subpopulations share multiple cellular features, but significantly differ in their functions. The functional diversity of ASCs depends on their origin, cellular context and surrounding microenvironment within adipose tissues. The data provide important insight into the biology of ASCs, which might be useful in choosing the adequate ASC subpopulation for regenerative therapies.

Aquaporin-2 and Na+ /H+ exchanger isoform 1 modulate the efficiency of renal cell migration.

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) promotes renal cell migration by the modulation of integrin β1 trafficking and the turnover of focal adhesions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AQP2 also works in cooperation with Na+ /H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1), another well-known protein involved in the regulation of cell migration. Our results showed that the lamellipodia of AQP2-expressing cells exhibit significantly smaller volumes and areas of focal adhesions and more alkaline intracellular pH due to increased NHE1 activity than AQP2-null cells. The blockage of AQP2, or its physically-associated calcium channel TRPV4, significantly reduced lamellipodia NHE1 activity. NHE1 blockage significantly reduced the rate of cell migration, the number of lamellipodia, and the assembly of F-actin only in AQP2-expressing cells. Our data suggest that AQP2 modulates the activity of NHE1 through its calcium channel partner TRPV4, thereby determining pH-dependent actin polymerization, providing mechanical stability to delineate lamellipodia structure and defining the efficiency of cell migration.

The Architecture of Talin1 Reveals an Autoinhibition Mechanism.

SummaryFocal adhesions (FAs) are protein machineries essential for cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Talin is an integrin-activating and tension-sensing FA component directly connecting integrins in the plasma membrane with the actomyosin cytoskeleton. To understand how talin function is regulated, we determined a cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of full-length talin1 revealing a two-way mode of autoinhibition. The actin-binding rod domains fold into a 15-nm globular arrangement that is interlocked by the integrin-binding FERM head. In turn, the rod domains R9 and R12 shield access of the FERM domain to integrin and the phospholipid PIP2 at the membrane. This mechanism likely ensures synchronous inhibition of integrin, membrane, and cytoskeleton binding. We also demonstrate that compacted talin1 reversibly unfolds to an ∼60-nm string-like conformation, revealing interaction sites for vinculin and actin. Our data explain how fast switching between active and inactive conformations of talin could regulate FA turnover, a process critical for cell adhesion and signaling.

The role of APC-mediated actin assembly in microtubule capture and focal adhesion turnover.

Focal adhesion (FA) turnover depends on microtubules and actin. Microtubule ends are captured at FAs, where they induce rapid FA disassembly. However, actin's roles are less clear. Here, we use polarization-resolved microscopy, FRAP, live cell imaging, and a mutant of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC-m4) defective in actin nucleation to investigate the role of actin assembly in FA turnover. We show that APC-mediated actin assembly is critical for maintaining normal F-actin levels, organization, and dynamics at FAs, along with organization of FA components. In WT cells, microtubules are captured repeatedly at FAs as they mature, but once a FA reaches peak maturity, the next microtubule capture event leads to delivery of an autophagosome, triggering FA disassembly. In APC-m4 cells, microtubule capture frequency and duration are altered, and there are long delays between autophagosome delivery and FA disassembly. Thus, APC-mediated actin assembly is required for normal feedback between microtubules and FAs, and maintaining FAs in a state "primed" for microtubule-induced turnover.

RITA modulates cell migration and invasion by affecting focal adhesion dynamics.

RITA, the RBP‐J interacting and tubulin‐associated protein, has been reported to be related to tumor development, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. Since RITA interacts with tubulin and coats microtubules of the cytoskeleton, we hypothesized that it is involved in cell motility. We show here that depletion of RITA reduces cell migration and invasion of diverse cancer cell lines and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Cells depleted of RITA display stable focal adhesions (FA) with elevated active integrin, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase, and paxillin. This is accompanied by enlarged size and disturbed turnover of FA. These cells also demonstrate increased polymerized tubulin. Interestingly, RITA is precipitated with the lipoma‐preferred partner (LPP), which is critical in actin cytoskeleton remodeling and cell migration. Suppression of RITA results in reduced LPP and α‐actinin at FA leading to compromised focal adhesion turnover and actin dynamics. This study identifies RITA as a novel crucial player in cell migration and invasion by affecting the turnover of FA through its interference with the dynamics of actin filaments and microtubules. Its deregulation may contribute to malignant progression.

Increased mitochondrial NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression in aging is a causative factor in aortic stiffening

Aging is characterized by increased aortic stiffness, an early, independent predictor and cause of cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress from excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increases with age. Mitochondria and NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are two major sources of ROS in cardiovascular system. We showed previously that increased mitochondrial ROS levels over a lifetime induce aortic stiffening in a mouse oxidative stress model. Also, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression and ROS levels increase with age in aortas, aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and mitochondria, and are correlated with age-associated aortic stiffness in hypercholesterolemic mice. The present study investigated whether young mice (4 months-old) with increased mitochondrial NOX4 levels recapitulate vascular aging and age-associated aortic stiffness. We generated transgenic mice with low (Nox4TG605; 2.1-fold higher) and high (Nox4TG618; 4.9-fold higher) mitochondrial NOX4 expression. Young Nox4TG618 mice showed significant increase in aortic stiffness and decrease in phenylephrine-induced aortic contraction, but not Nox4TG605 mice. Increased mitochondrial oxidative stress increased intrinsic VSMC stiffness, induced aortic extracellular matrix remodeling and fibrosis, a leftward shift in stress-strain curves, decreased volume compliance and focal adhesion turnover in Nox4TG618 mice. Nox4TG618 VSMCs phenocopied other features of vascular aging such as increased DNA damage, increased premature and replicative senescence and apoptosis, increased proinflammatory protein expression and decreased respiration. Aortic stiffening in young Nox4TG618 mice was significantly blunted with mitochondrial-targeted catalase overexpression. This demonstration of the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in aortic stiffness will galvanize search for new mitochondrial-targeted therapeutics for treatment of age-associated vascular dysfunction.

Abstract 1995: Low-dose eribulin suppresses lung metastasis of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor among children and adolescents. The prognosis of osteosarcoma remains poor in these thirty years because the effective therapeutic option for lung metastasis has not been established. Therefore, the development of effective metastatic therapy is required. Eribulin, a new microtubule targeting agent, has been indicated for recurrent breast cancer and malignant soft tissue sarcoma. Clinical trials of eribulin showed that it elongated overall survival period rather than disease-free survival period. These results motivated us to investigate the effect of eribulin on metastasis suppression of osteosarcoma. Here, we examined the inhibitory effect of eribulin on lung metastasis and its mechanism using murine osteosarcoma metastasis model. In vivo experiments: Eribulin was intravenously injected by two administration methods, (1) high dose administration on standard schedule; 1 mg/kg q7d × 2, (2) frequent low dose administration; 0.3 mg/kg q4d × 4. Both methods sufficiently reduced circulating tumor cells in blood and inhibited lung metastasis. Method (1) also inhibited primary tumor growth, but induced severe body weight loss. Method (2) had little effect on primary tumor growth and showed little body weight loss. In vitro experiments: The IC50 concentration of eribulin for metastatic osteosarcoma cell line, LM8, was about 20 nM. Pharmacokinetics studies have shown that eribulin intravenously administered at 1 mg/kg presents with a brief high-concentration phase which surges to ≥100 nM followed by a long low-concentration phase which stabilizes at ~10 nM for one week. These two phases sandwiched the IC50 concentration of eribulin. Thus, we separately investigated that the effect of high and low eribulin concentrations on LM8. High eribulin concentrations induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in LM8, whereas low eribulin concentrations changed cell morphology and decreased cell migration through reducing directionality and focal adhesion turnover. Reduced peripheral localization of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein by eribulin might cause these effects. In a three-dimensional collagen culture system, low eribulin concentrations inhibited tumor cell infiltration and colony formation. The anti-metastatic effects at low concentrations backed-up the results of our in vivo experiments by frequent low dose administration method. Eribulin is a potential therapeutic option for lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. Frequent low dose administration method with fewer side effects enables the combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and broadens the application of eribulin as an anti-metastatic drug for osteosarcoma. Citation Format: Kenta Watanabe, Yoshihiro Yui, Satoru Sasagawa, Kayo Suzuki, Masahiko Kanamori, Taketoshi Yasuda, Tomoatsu Kimura. Low-dose eribulin suppresses lung metastasis of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1995.

FBXW5 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Metastasis in Gastric Cancer via Activation of the FAK-Src Signaling Pathway.

F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 5 (FBXW5) is a member of the FBXW subclass of F-box proteins. Despite its known function as a component of the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex, the role of FBXW5 in gastric cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis has not been investigated. The present study investigates the role of FBXW5 in tumorigenesis and metastasis, as well as the regulation of key signaling pathways in gastric cancer; using in-vitro FBXW5 knockdown/overexpression cell line and in-vivo models. In-vitro knockdown of FBXW5 results in a decrease in cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, with a concomitant increase in cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, knockdown of FBXW5 also leads to a down regulation in cell migration and adhesion, characterized by a reduction in actin polymerization, focal adhesion turnover and traction forces. This study also delineates the mechanistic role of FBXW5 in oncogenic signaling as its inhibition down regulates RhoA-ROCK 1 (Rho-associated protein kinase 1) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling cascades. Overexpression of FBXW5 promotes in-vivo tumor growth, whereas its inhibition down regulates in-vivo tumor metastasis. When considered together, our study identifies the novel oncogenic role of FBXW5 in gastric cancer and draws further interest regarding its clinical utility as a potential therapeutic target.

Strictinin, a novel ROR1-inhibitor, represses triple negative breast cancer survival and migration via modulation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3ß activity.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, is characterized by the absence of hormone receptors usually targeted by hormone therapies like Tamoxifen. Because therapy success and survival rates for TNBC lag far behind other breast cancer subtypes, there is significant interest in developing novel anti-TNBC agents that can target TNBC specifically, with minimal effects on non-malignant tissue. To this aim, our study describes the anti-TNBC effect of strictinin, an ellagitanin previously isolated from Myrothamnus flabellifolius. Using various in silico and molecular techniques, we characterized the mechanism of action of strictinin in TNBC. Our results suggest strictinin interacts strongly with Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Orphan like 1 (ROR1). ROR1 is an oncofetal receptor highly expressed during development but not in normal adult tissue. It is highly expressed in several human malignancies however, owing to its numerous pro-tumor functions. Via its interaction and inhibition of ROR1, strictinin reduced AKT phosphorylation on ser-473, inhibiting downstream phosphorylation and inhibition of GSK3β. The reduction in AKT phosphorylation also correlated with decreased cell survival and activation of the caspase-mediated intrinsic apoptotic cascade. Strictinin treatment also repressed cell migration and invasion in a beta-catenin independent manner, presumably via the reactivated GSK3ß’s repressing effect on microtubule polymerization and focal adhesion turnover. This could be of potential therapeutic interest considering heightened interest in ROR1 and other receptor tyrosine kinases as targets for development of anti-cancer agents. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in other ROR1-expressing malignancies but also in more systemic models of TNBC. Our findings do however underline the potential of strictinin and other ROR1-targeting agents as therapeutic tools to reduce TNBC proliferation, survival and motility.

EB1- and EB2-dependent anterograde trafficking of TRPM4 regulates focal adhesion turnover and cell invasion.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) is a Ca2+-activated nonselective cationic channel involved in a wide variety of physiologic and pathophysiological processes. Bioinformatics analyses of the primary sequence of TRPM4 allowed us to identify a putative motif for interaction with end-binding (EB) proteins, which are microtubule plus-end tracking proteins. Here, we provide novel data suggesting that TRPM4 interacts with EB proteins. We show that mutations of the putative EB binding motif abolish the TRPM4-EB interaction, leading to a reduced expression of the mature population of the plasma membrane channel and instead display an endoplasmic reticulum-associated distribution. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EB1 and EB2 proteins are required for TRPM4 trafficking and functional activity. Finally, we demonstrated that the expression of a soluble fragment containing the EB binding motif of TRPM4 reduces the plasma membrane expression of the channel and affects TRPM4-dependent focal adhesion disassembly and cell invasion processes.-Blanco, C., Morales, D., Mogollones, I., Vergara-Jaque, A., Vargas, C., Álvarez, A., Riquelme, D., Leiva-Salcedo, E., González, W., Morales, D., Maureira, D., Aldunate, I., Cáceres, M., Varela, D., Cerda, O. EB1- and EB2-dependent anterograde trafficking of TRPM4 regulates focal adhesion turnover and cell invasion.

Mutant p53 amplifies a dynamin-1/APPL1 endosome feedback loop that regulates recycling and migration.

Multiple mechanisms contribute to cancer cell progression and metastatic activity, including changes in endocytic trafficking and signaling of cell surface receptors downstream of gain-of-function (GOF) mutant p53. We report that dynamin-1 (Dyn1) is up-regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in a manner dependent on expression of GOF mutant p53. Dyn1 is required for the recruitment and accumulation of the signaling scaffold, APPL1, to a spatially localized subpopulation of endosomes at the cell perimeter. We developed new tools to quantify peripherally localized early endosomes and measure the rapid recycling of integrins. We report that these perimeter APPL1 endosomes modulate Akt signaling and activate Dyn1 to create a positive feedback loop required for rapid recycling of EGFR and β1 integrins, increased focal adhesion turnover, and cell migration. Thus, Dyn1- and Akt-dependent perimeter APPL1 endosomes function as a nexus that integrates signaling and receptor trafficking, which can be co-opted and amplified in mutant p53-driven cancer cells to increase migration and invasion.

Microtubule acetylation but not detyrosination promotes focal adhesion dynamics and astrocyte migration.

Microtubules play a crucial role in mesenchymal migration by controlling cell polarity and the turnover of cell adhesive structures on the extracellular matrix. The polarized functions of microtubules imply that microtubules are locally regulated. Here, we investigated the regulation and role of two major tubulin post-translational modifications, acetylation and detyrosination, which have been associated with stable microtubules. Using primary astrocytes in a wound healing assay, we show that these tubulin modifications are independently regulated during cell polarization and differently affect cell migration. In contrast to microtubule detyrosination, αTAT1 (ATAT1)-mediated microtubule acetylation increases in the vicinity of focal adhesions and promotes cell migration. We further demonstrate that αTAT1 increases focal adhesion turnover by promoting Rab6-positive vesicle fusion at focal adhesions. Our results highlight the specificity of microtubule post-translational modifications and bring new insight into the regulatory functions of tubulin acetylation.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 3 promotes focal adhesion turnover via interactions with dynein intermediate chain 2

Cells express a family of three inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks). Although sharing the same enzymatic activity, individual IP6Ks mediate different cellular processes. Here we report that IP6K3 is enriched at the leading edge of migrating cells where it associates with dynein intermediate chain 2 (DIC2). Using immunofluorescence microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we found that DIC2 and IP6K3 are recruited interdependently to the leading edge of migrating cells, where they function coordinately to enhance the turnover of focal adhesions. Deletion of IP6K3 causes defects in cell motility and neuronal dendritic growth, eventually leading to brain malformations. Our results reveal a mechanism whereby IP6K3 functions in coordination with DIC2 in a confined intracellular microenvironment to promote focal adhesion turnover.

Centrosome guides spatial activation of Rac to control cell polarization and directed cell migration.

Directed cell migration requires centrosome-mediated cell polarization and dynamical control of focal adhesions (FAs). To examine how FAs cooperate with centrosomes for directed cell migration, we used centrosome-deficient cells and found that loss of centrosomes enhanced the formation of acentrosomal microtubules, which failed to form polarized structures in wound-edge cells. In acentrosomal cells, we detected higher levels of Rac1-guanine nucleotide exchange factor TRIO (Triple Functional Domain Protein) on microtubules and FAs. Acentrosomal microtubules deliver TRIO to FAs for Rac1 regulation. Indeed, centrosome disruption induced excessive Rac1 activation around the cell periphery via TRIO, causing rapid FA turnover, a disorganized actin meshwork, randomly protruding lamellipodia, and loss of cell polarity. This study reveals the importance of centrosomes to balance the assembly of centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubules and to deliver microtubule-associated TRIO proteins to FAs at the cell front for proper spatial activation of Rac1, FA turnover, lamillipodial protrusion, and cell polarization, thereby allowing directed cell migration.

Low-dose eribulin reduces lung metastasis of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo.

Lung metastasis markedly reduces the prognosis of osteosarcoma. Moreover, there is no effective treatment for lung metastasis, and a new treatment strategy for the treatment of osteosarcoma lung metastasis is required. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppressive effect of the microtubule inhibitor eribulin mesylate (eribulin) on lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. At concentrations >proliferation IC50, eribulin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a metastatic osteosarcoma cell line, LM8. However, at concentrations <proliferation IC50, (low dose), eribulin changed cell morphology and decreased LM8 migration. Low eribulin concentrations also reduced directionality during migration, peripheral localization of adenomatous polyposis coli protein, and turnover of focal adhesions. In a three-dimensional collagen culture system, low eribulin concentrations inhibited tumor cell proliferation and colony formation. Higher doses of eribulin administered on a standard schedule inhibited lung metastasis and primary tumor growth in a murine osteosarcoma metastasis model. Frequent low-dose eribulin administration (0.3 mg/kg every 4 days × 4) effectively inhibited lung metastasis but had little effect on primary tumor growth. Overall, our results indicate that eribulin could reduce osteosarcoma lung metastasis.

P6 - Redox Modification of the Cytoskeleton During Cell Adhesion and Migration

Actin cytoskeleton assembly and organization are modulated by reactive oxygen species and the cellular redox environment. Focal adhesions link the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and play an important role in growth and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. We have previously shown that NADPH oxidase Nox4, a H2O2-producing enzyme, and its binding partner, polymerase delta interacting protein 2 (Poldip2), regulate turnover of focal adhesions. Downstream targets of Nox4 include Hic-5 and Hsp27, as well as the small GTPase, Rho A. Activation of Smad signaling by TGFp, which is known to strengthen focal adhesions, is Nox4-dependent, as is upregulation of Hsp27 and Hic-5 by TGFp. Similarly, overexpression of Poldip2 activates RhoA to prevent focal adhesion dissolution, while dominant-negative RhoA reverses the effects of Nox4/Poldip2 on focal adhesions. More recently, we discovered that H2O2 levels increase during integrin-mediated cell attachment due to activation of NOX4. Attachment induces F-actin oxidation by sulfenylation, and depletion of Poldip2 or NOX4 using siRNA, or scavenging of endogenous H2O2 with catalase, inhibits adhesion-induced F-actin oxidation. Of importance, the binding of F-actin to vinculin, a protein present in focal adhesion complexes that regulates focal adhesion maturation, is inhibited after transfection of an oxidation-resistant actin mutant. Silencing of Poldip2 or NOX4 also impairs actin-vinculin interaction. Taken together, our work has identified a major role for Poldip2/Nox4 in cytoskeletal organization, focal adhesion turnover and smooth muscle cell migration.

Abstract A18: Netrin-1/Neogenin-1 promotes neuroblastoma cell migration via activation of Integrin β1

Abstract Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. It is derived from the sympatho-adrenal lineage of the neural crest, during development of the sympathetic nervous system, and usually arises in the adrenal gland or sympathetic ganglia. Since &amp;gt;50% of diagnosed cases are metastatic, it is important to know the mechanisms underlying its dissemination. During metastasis, cells migrate, invade, and colonize local and distant organs. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Integrin β1 are key regulators of focal adhesion formation and cell migration. FAK induces Integrin β1 activation, focal adhesion turnover, and consequently cell migration, and it has been shown to be upregulated in tumors. FAK binds several upstream receptors including Neogenin-1 (NEO1), which is involved in axonal guidance, angiogenesis, and neuronal cell migration. On the other hand, NEO1 binds to the Netrin family of ligands. Analysis of public databases of NB tumors reveals that high expression of NEO1 correlates with poor patient survival. The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of migrationrelated signaling pathways downstream of NEO1/Netrin-1 (main ligand of the Netrin family). To this end, we focused on FAK and Integrin β1 interaction/activation. Western blot in SK-N-SH (MYCN WT) and LAN-1 (MYCN high) NB cell lines indicated that NEO1 and Netrin-4 are expressed while Netrin-1 is only expressed in LAN-1. Also, NEO1 associated with Netrin-1, as shown by co-immunoprecipitation assays in both cell lines. To evaluate the contribution of NEO1 in cell migration, integrin β1 activation, and metastasis, stable NEO1 knockdown cells (shNEO1) were generated using shRNAs via lentiviral infection. Cell migration was decreased in shNEO1 cells, as shown in transwell assays using Netrin-1 as chemoattractant, which could be due to decreased sensibility to the chemotactic stimulus of the ligand. We also assessed FAK dependency by pharmacologic inhibition with the PF562,271 compound in a spheroid-based cell migration assay. To further evaluate the association between NEO1 with Integrin β1 and FAK, we performed co-immunoprecipitation assays. Our data show that NEO1 associates in a complex with Integrin β1 and FAK in SK-N-SH cells. Immunoprecipitation of activated Integrin β1 with a specific conformational antibody shows that activation of Integrin β1 is less in shNEO1 cells compared to control cells. In an in vivo analysis of metastasis, SK-N-SK shNEO1 and control cells were injected into flank of immunodeficient mice (NSG strain). Metastasis was evaluated via luciferase activity in several organs, revealing that NEO1 is important to NB metastases. Our work suggests that NEO1 is a tumor progression-promoting protein, with an active role in metastasis. We propose a possible mechanism whereby NEO1, via its interaction with Netrin-1, is involved in cell migration and metastasis of NB cells. NEO1 likely plays its role by associating with FAK, allowing its phosphorylation and complex formation with Integrin β1, inducing its activation. Our results provide further information on the potential use of NEO1 as a therapeutic target to reduce metastasis in neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Andrea A. Villanueva, Ernesto Muñoz-Palma, Carlos Cubo, Vicente A. Torres, Pilar Sanchez-Gomez, Veronica Palma. Netrin-1/Neogenin-1 promotes neuroblastoma cell migration via activation of Integrin β1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Pediatric Cancer Research: From Basic Science to the Clinic; 2017 Dec 3-6; Atlanta, Georgia. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.

Galectin-1 Restricts Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Motility Via Modulating Adhesion Force and Focal Adhesion Dynamics

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration play a key role in the development of intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a redox-sensitive β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in VSMCs with intracellular and extracellular localizations. Here we show that VSMCs deficient in Gal-1 (Gal-1-KO) exhibited greater motility than wild type (WT) cells. Likewise, Gal-1-KO-VSMC migration was inhibited by a redox-insensitive but activity-preserved Gal-1 (CSGal-1) in a glycan-dependent manner. Gal-1-KO-VSMCs adhered slower than WT cells on fibronectin. Cell spreading and focal adhesion (FA) formation examined by phalloidin and vinculin staining were less in Gal-1-KO-VSMCs. Concomitantly, FA kinase (FAK) phosphorylation was induced to a lower extent in Gal-1-KO cells. Analysis of FA dynamics by nocodazole washout assay demonstrated that FA disassembly, correlated with FAK de-phosphorylation, was faster in Gal-1-KO-VSMCs. Surface plasmon resonance assay demonstrated that CSGal-1 interacted with α5β1integrin and fibronectin in a glycan-dependent manner. Chemical crosslinking experiment and atomic force microscopy further revealed the involvement of extracellular Gal-1 in strengthening VSMC-fibronectin interaction. In vivo experiment showed that carotid ligation-induced neointimal hyperplasia was more severe in Gal-1-KO mice than WT counterparts. Collectively, these data disclose that Gal-1 restricts VSMC migration by modulating cell-matrix interaction and focal adhesion turnover, which limits neointimal formation post vascular injury.

Talin is a substrate for SUMOylation in migrating cancer cells

Focal adhesions (FAs) play an important role in cancer cell migration and metastasis by linking the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, allowing the cell to generate traction. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification of proteins on lysine residues that can affect protein localisation, turnover and protein-protein interactions. In this study, we demonstrate that talin, a key component of FAs, can be post-translationally modified by SUMOylation in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and U2OS osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore we demonstrate that SUMOylation regulates the dynamic activities of FAs including their number, size and turnover rate. Inhibiting SUMOylation significantly reduced the speed of cell migration. The identification of talin as a SUMO target provides insight into the mechanisms regulating focal adhesion formation and turnover and potentially identifies a novel mechanism underlying cell migration.

Abstract 3150: Serglycin promotes cell migration mediated through the interaction of its GAG moiety with CD44

Abstract Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in cancer progression. We have recently shown that serglycin (SRGN), a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), is overexpressed in primary non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), by carcinoma as well as stromal cells, and that the secreted SRGN can bind to CD44 and promotes NSCLC aggressiveness (Oncogene 36:2457, 2007). In this study, we further examined the molecular mechanisms underlying SRGN-elicited cell migration. By gain- and loss-of-function studies, we first showed that SRGN promoted cell migration in a CD44-dependent manner. SRGN promoted SRC activation, leading to increased phosphorylation of paxillin (PAX) at Y118 as well as reduced PAX/FAK complex formation, suggesting that SRGN promotes cell migration through facilitating focal adhesion turnover. In support, knockdown of SRC or treatment of cells with PP2, a SRC family inhibitor, abolished SRGN-elicited migratory activity. In addition, we showed that SRGN induced actin cytoskeleton reorganization and promoted lamellipodia and filopodia formation at the leading edge, facilitating a directional movement during wound closure in NSCLC cells. In consistence, increased levels of activated RAC1, which is required for lamellipodia formation, and CDC42, which is required for filopodia formation, were detected. We further examined the role of CS modification in SRGN-mediated function. We generated the SRGN(S/A) mutant in which the eight serine residues involved in GAG modification were converted to alanine, and showed that SRGN(S/A) mutant not only failed to induce the phosphorylation of SRC and paxillin, but also failed to promote cell migration. In consistence, pre-treatment of SRGN-containing conditional medium with Chondroitinase ABC also suppressed SRGN-elicited cell migration. Taken together, our data demonstrated that SRGN interacts with CD44 through its GAG modifications, leading to increased cell migration by promoting FA turnover and cytoskeleton reorganization. Citation Format: Joanne Jeou-Yuan Chen, Jing-You Guo, Chu-Hsuan Chiu, Mei-June Wang. Serglycin promotes cell migration mediated through the interaction of its GAG moiety with CD44 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3150.