N-cadherin regulates mammary tumor cell migration through Akt3 suppression

Oncogene. 2013 Jan 24;32(4):422-30. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.65. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

N-cadherin is a cell-cell adhesion molecule that plays a role in breast cancer metastasis. Here, we show that in vivo expression of N-cadherin in the PyMT mouse model, which enhances mammary tumor metastasis, results in selective inhibition of Akt3 expression and phosphorylation. Similarly, exogenous expression of N-cadherin in PyMT or MCF-7 mammary tumor cells enhanced cell motility and caused a dramatic reduction in Akt3 expression and phosphorylation. Moreover, knockdown of Akt3 in PyMT tumor cells increased cell motility and disrupted mammary morphogenesis, but had no effect on cell proliferation. Conversely, overexpression of wild-type Akt3 in PyMT-N-cadherin cells inhibited cell motility promoted by N-cadherin. Taken altogether, these findings demonstrate that N-cadherin suppresses Akt3 to promote cell motility and highlight the intricate regulation of Akt isoforms by N-cadherin during metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / enzymology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Akt3 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt