Autocrine motility factor modulates EGF-mediated invasion signaling

DH Kho, T Zhang, V Balan, Y Wang, SW Ha, Y Xie… - Cancer research, 2014 - AACR
DH Kho, T Zhang, V Balan, Y Wang, SW Ha, Y Xie, A Raz
Cancer research, 2014AACR
Autocrine motility factor (AMF) enhances invasion by breast cancer cells, but how its
secretion and effector signaling are controlled in the tumor microenvironment is not fully
understood. In this study, we investigated these issues with a chimeric AMF that is secreted
at high levels through a canonical endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi pathway. Using this
tool, we found that AMF enhances tumor cell motility by activating AKT/ERK, altering actin
organization, and stimulating β-catenin/TCF and activating protein 1 transcription. EGF …
Abstract
Autocrine motility factor (AMF) enhances invasion by breast cancer cells, but how its secretion and effector signaling are controlled in the tumor microenvironment is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated these issues with a chimeric AMF that is secreted at high levels through a canonical endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi pathway. Using this tool, we found that AMF enhances tumor cell motility by activating AKT/ERK, altering actin organization, and stimulating β-catenin/TCF and activating protein 1 transcription. EGF enhanced secretion of AMF through its casein kinase II–mediated phosphorylation. RNA interference–mediated attenuation of AMF expression inhibited EGF-induced invasion by suppressing extracellular signal–regulated kinase signaling. Conversely, exogenous AMF overcame the inhibitory effect of EGF receptor inhibitor gefitinib on invasive motility by activating HER2 signaling. Taken together, our findings show how AMF modulates EGF-induced invasion while affecting acquired resistance to cytotoxic drugs in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 74(8); 2229–37. ©2014 AACR.
AACR