TPM3-ALK expression induces changes in cytoskeleton organisation and confers higher metastatic capacities than other ALK fusion proteins

Eur J Cancer. 2007 Mar;43(4):640-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.12.005. Epub 2007 Feb 2.

Abstract

Translocations of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene result in the production of a number of oncogenic ALK fusion proteins implicated in tumour development. We have previously shown that X-ALK fusion proteins have differential effects on the proliferation, transformation, and invasion properties of NIH3T3 cells in vitro. In the present study, we have investigated the metastatic potential of various X-ALK expressing cell lines using an experimental lung metastasis assay. We have shown that TPM3-ALK expression bestows higher metastatic capacities than other X-ALK fusion proteins and in addition, that TPM3-ALK fusion protein expression specifically induces changes in cell morphology and cytoskeleton organisation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate a specific interaction between TPM3-ALK and endogenous tropomyosin. Together the specific actions of TPM3-ALK on the cytoskeleton organisation offer an interesting hypothesis with respect to the higher cell motility and metastatic potential of this fusion protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Transfection
  • Tropomyosin / genetics*
  • Tropomyosin / metabolism

Substances

  • TPM3 protein, human
  • Tropomyosin
  • ALK protein, human
  • Alk protein, mouse
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases