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Migration‐stimulating factor displays HEXXH‐dependent catalytic activity important for promoting tumor cell migration
Author(s) -
Houard Xavier,
Germain Stéphane,
Gervais Marianne,
Michaud Annie,
van den Brûle Frédéric,
Foidart JeanMichel,
Noël Agnès,
Monnot Catherine,
Corvol Pierre
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.21053
Subject(s) - fibronectin , extracellular matrix , biology , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular , transfection , alternative splicing , recombinant dna , cell migration , matrix metalloproteinase , gene isoform , cancer research , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Like most extracellular matrix (ECM) components, fibronectin (Fn) is proteolyzed generating specific activities. Fibronectin proteinase (Fn‐proteinase) represents such a cryptic activity located in the gelatin‐binding domain (GBD) of Fn and displays a zinc metalloproteinase activity. The migration‐stimulating factor (MSF) is a truncated Fn isoform generated by alternative mRNA splicing and corresponds to the N‐terminal part of Fn that comprises the GBD. We show that several human mammary epithelial cells express MSF and constitutively produce Fn‐proteinase activity. Furthermore, recombinant MSF produced by HEK‐293 and MCF‐7 cells possesses a constitutive Fn‐proteinase activity. Mutating the putative zinc‐binding motif, HEXXH, of the protein abolishes its activity thereby demonstrating its specificity. Using PCR, we showed that MSF is barely expressed in normal breast tissues, whereas its expression is significantly increased in tumors. Furthermore, an association between MSF expression and invasive capacity is observed in various breast adenocarcinoma cell lines. Indeed, when stably transfected in non‐invasive MCF‐7 cells, MSF promotes cell migration in a mechanism mostly dependent on its Fn‐proteinase activity. In summary, our study shows that: ( i ) MSF displays constitutive Fn‐proteinase activity; ( ii ) MSF expression is induced in human breast cancer; and ( iii ) MSF confers pro‐migratory activity that depends mostly on its Fn‐proteinase activity. These results suggest that MSF may be involved in tumor progression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.