Analysis of Rho GTPase expression in T-ALL identifies RhoU as a target for Notch involved in T-ALL cell migration

Oncogene. 2013 Jan 10;32(2):198-208. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.42. Epub 2012 Feb 20.

Abstract

NOTCH1 is frequently mutated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), and can stimulate T-ALL cell survival and proliferation. Here we explore the hypothesis that Notch1 also alters T-ALL cell migration. Rho GTPases are well known to regulate cell adhesion and migration. We have analysed the expression levels of Rho GTPases in primary T-ALL samples compared with normal T cells by quantitative PCR. We found that 5 of the 20 human Rho genes are highly and consistently upregulated in T-ALL, and 3 further Rho genes are expressed in T-ALL but not detectable in normal T cells. Of these, RHOU expression is highly correlated with the expression of the Notch1 target DELTEX-1. Inhibition of Notch1 signalling with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) or Notch1 RNA interference reduced RhoU expression in T-ALL cells, whereas constitutively active Notch1 increased RhoU expression. In addition, Notch1 or RhoU depletion, or GSI treatment, inhibits T-ALL cell adhesion, migration and chemotaxis. These results indicate that NOTCH1 mutation stimulates T-ALL cell migration through RhoU upregulation that could contribute to the leukaemia cell dissemination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptor, Notch1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Notch1 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Up-Regulation
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • NOTCH1 protein, human
  • Oligopeptides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • RHOU protein, human
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins