Expression of E1AF/PEA3, an Ets‐related transcription factor in human non‐small‐cell lung cancers: Its relevance in cell motility and invasion

• Published in: International journal of cancer Vol. 93; no. 6; pp. 786 - 791
• Main Authors: Hiroumi, Hiromitsu, Dosaka‐Akita, Hirotoshi, Yoshida, Koichi, Shindoh, Masanobu, Ohbuchi, Toshirou, Fujinaga, Kei, Nishimura, Masaharu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 15-09-2001; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Adenovirus E1A Proteins - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Northern; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism; cell motility and invasion; Cell Movement; E1AF protein; E1AF/PEA3; Ets-1 gene; Ets‐1; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - metabolism; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; lung carcinoma; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Invasiveness; non‐small‐cell lung cancer; PEA3 protein; Phenotype; Pneumology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Time Factors; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum; uPA; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - metabolism; u-Plasminogen activator; Metastasis; Bronchopulmonary; Signal transduction; Dissemination; Established cell line; Bronchus disease; Genetics; Transcription factor; Protooncogene; Non small cell carcinoma; Human; Lung disease; Serine endopeptidases; Respiratory disease; Enzyme; Hepatocyte growth factor; Cytokine; Malignant tumor; Gene expression; Peptidases; Cell motility; C-Onc gene; Hydrolases; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0020-7136; 1097-0215
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.1410

Cell invasion and metastasis characterize the malignant potential of non‐small‐cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). We have previously reported that E1AF, a member of the Ets‐related transcription factor family, confers invasive phenotype on breast cancer and oral squamous‐cell carcinoma cell lines. In our study, we analyzed the E1AF expression in cell lines and resected tumors of NSCLCs by Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses and found that 15 of 17 cell lines and 12 of 19 tumors expressed E1AF mRNA while normal lung tissue and concomitant normal cells within tumors did not. To examine the biologic importance of E1AF in NSCLCs, we introduced the E1AF gene into VMRC‐LCD and NCI‐H226, NSCLC cell lines lacking E1AF expression, and examined cell motility and invasion activities. E1AF‐transfected VMRC‐LCD cells showed increased cell motility that was 2‐fold that of parental and vector‐transfected control cells (p < 0.01), and both cell motility and invasion were increased 1.6‐fold in NCI‐H226 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is one of the most effective cell‐scattering factors, stimulated the motile and invasive activities in E1AF‐transfected VMRC‐LCD and NCI‐H226 cells but not in their parental or vector‐transfected control cells. Ets‐1 mRNA expression was found in E1AF‐transfected VMRC‐LCD cells but not in parental or vector‐transfected cells. HGF further induced expression of the Ets‐1 and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) genes specifically in E1AF‐transfected cells. These findings suggest that E1AF plays a substantial role in the cell motility and invasion of NSCLCs. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.