p130Cas over-expression impairs mammary branching morphogenesis in response to estrogen and EGF

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e49817. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049817. Epub 2012 Dec 11.

Abstract

p130Cas adaptor protein regulates basic processes such as cell cycle control, survival and migration. p130Cas over-expression has been related to mammary gland transformation, however the in vivo consequences of p130Cas over-expression during mammary gland morphogenesis are not known. In ex vivo mammary explants from MMTV-p130Cas transgenic mice, we show that p130Cas impairs the functional interplay between Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Estrogen Receptor (ER) during mammary gland development. Indeed, we demonstrate that p130Cas over-expression upon the concomitant stimulation with EGF and estrogen (E2) severely impairs mammary morphogenesis giving rise to enlarged multicellular spherical structures with altered architecture and absence of the central lumen. These filled acinar structures are characterized by increased cell survival and proliferation and by a strong activation of Erk1/2 MAPKs and Akt. Interestingly, antagonizing the ER activity is sufficient to re-establish branching morphogenesis and normal Erk1/2 MAPK activity. Overall, these results indicate that high levels of p130Cas expression profoundly affect mammary morphogenesis by altering epithelial architecture, survival and unbalancing Erk1/2 MAPKs activation in response to growth factors and hormones. These results suggest that alteration of morphogenetic pathways due to p130Cas over-expression might prime mammary epithelium to tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein* / genetics
  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein* / metabolism
  • Epidermal Growth Factor* / metabolism
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Estrogens* / metabolism
  • Estrogens* / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mammary Glands, Animal* / growth & development
  • Mammary Glands, Animal* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Receptors, Estrogen / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism

Substances

  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein
  • Estrogens
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) (Grant IG2008 and IG2011), Ministero Italiano Università e Ricerca (FIRB Giovani 2008), Piattaforma per la ricerca su cellule staminali (PiSTEM), Progetto Sanità Finalizzata. G. Tornillo and B. Bisaro are supported by Fondazione Ricerca Italiana sul cancro (FIRC) fellowships. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.