A small interfering RNA screen for modulators of tumor cell motility identifies MAP4K4 as a promigratory kinase

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Mar 7;103(10):3775-80. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0600040103. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

Cell motility is a complex biological process, involved in development, inflammation, homeostasis, and pathological processes such as the invasion and metastatic spread of cancer. Here, we describe a genomic screen designed to identify inhibitors of cell migration. A library of 10,996 small interfering RNAs (targeting 5,234 human genes) was screened for their ability to block the migration of a highly motile ovarian carcinoma cell line, SKOV-3, by using a 384-well wound-healing assay coupled with automated microscopy and wound quantification. Two or more small interfering RNAs against four genes, CDK7, DYRK1B, MAP4K4 (NIK/HGK) (MAP4K4, mitogen-activated protein 4 kinase 4), and SCCA-1 (SerpinB3), potently blocked the migration of SKOV-3 cells, concordant with reduced transcript levels. Further studies of the promigratory role of MAP4K4 showed that the knockdown of this transcript inhibited the migration of multiple carcinoma cell lines, indicating a broad role in cell motility and potently suppressed the invasion of SKOV-3 cells in vitro. The effect of MAP4K4 on cellular migration was found to be mediated through c-Jun N-terminal kinase, independent of AP1 activation and downstream transcription. Accordingly, small molecule inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase suppressed SKOV-3 cell migration, underscoring the potential therapeutic utility of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibition in cancer progression.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / physiopathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • MAP4K4 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases