CrkL efficiently mediates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by TGF-β pathway in glioblastoma

J Mol Neurosci. 2013 Nov;51(3):1046-51. doi: 10.1007/s12031-013-0096-3.

Abstract

Crk-like (CrkL) is an adapter protein that has crucial roles in cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. However, the expression pattern and potential mechanism of CrkL protein in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have not been fully elucidated. To determine roles of CrkL in cell signaling, proliferation, and migration, small interfering RNAs and plasmids transfection were used to suppress or overexpress CrkL in U87 and U251; soft-agar assay and wound-healing assay were used to observe cell invasiveness, migration, and proliferation. Erk1/2, Smad2, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were also analyzed by western blot. CrkL was expressed in U87 and U251 cell lines and can be activated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in vitro; CrkL knockdown significantly suppressed the expression of phosph-ERK1/2 and MMP9 but enhanced phosph-Smad2 expression compared with control (p <0.001). Overexpression of CrkL against control upregulated phosph-ERK1/2 and MMP9 and, at the same time, downregulated phosph-Smad2 (p <0.01). On the other hand, CrkL knockdown could significantly affect U87 and U251 invasiveness (p <0.01) and wound closure (p <0.01) using soft-agar assay and wound-healing assay. These studies suggest that CrkL efficiently mediates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by TGF-β pathway in glioblastoma. Furthermore, CrkL can be used as a potential and efficient therapeutic target of GBM and may also mediate other signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Smad2 Protein / genetics
  • Smad2 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CRKL protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • MAPK1 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • MMP9 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9