Title:Role of Liprins in the Regulation of Tumor Cell Motility and Invasion
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Author(s): Sara Chiaretti and Ivan de Curtis
Affiliation:
关键词:
乳腺癌，细胞运动性，黏着斑，入侵
摘要: Invasion leading to the formation of metastasis is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Analysis
of different human cancers has led to the identification of the PPFIA1 gene encoding the protein
liprin-α1, a possible player in cancer. The PPFIA1 gene is amplified in malignant tumors, including
about 20% of breast cancers. Also the liprin-α1 protein is found overexpressed in tumors. Liprin-α1
belongs to the liprin family of cytosolic scaffold proteins that includes four liprin-α, two liprin-β
members, and liprin-γ/kazrinE. In this review we will discuss the available evidence on the role of
different members of the liprin family in distinct aspects of tumor cell migration and invasion.
Evidence from in vitro studies indicates that the widely expressed liprin-α1 protein regulates the
migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells. Liprin-α1 affects cell migration and invasion by regulating the
organization of lamellipodia and invadopodia, two structures relevant to cell invasion. In the cell liprin-α1 forms a
complex with liprin-β1, ERC1/ELKS and LL5 proteins, which localizes at the front of migrating cells and positively
regulates lamellipodia stability, and integrin–mediated focal adhesions. On the other hand, liprin-β2 appears to play a role
as tumor suppressor by inhibiting breast cancer cell motility and invasion. The available data indicate that liprins are
central players in the regulation of tumor cell invasion, therefore representing interesting targets for anti-metastatic
therapy.
