Overexpression of EGFR and c-erbB2 causes enhanced cell migration in human breast cancer cells and NIH3T3 fibroblasts

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 425; no. 1; pp. 145 - 150
• Main Authors: Verbeek, Bianca S, Adriaansen-Slot, Sabrina S, Vroom, Thea M, Beckers, Thomas, Rijksen, Gert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 20-03-1998
• Subjects: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; c-erbB2; Cell migration; Epidermal growth factor receptor; ErbB Receptors - genetics; ErbB Receptors - metabolism; Fibroblasts - cytology; Human breast cancer; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Mice; Neoplasm Metastasis - genetics; Overexpression; Phosphorylation; Receptor, ErbB-2 - genetics; Receptor, ErbB-2 - metabolism; Overexpression; Human breast cancer; c-erbB2; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Cell migration
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(98)00224-5

Overexpression of EGFR and c-erbB2 frequently occurs in human breast cancers, correlating with poor prognosis. Here we show that overexpression of EGFR and c-erbB2 in cell lines increases cell migration, an important step in metastasis formation. The effect of EGFR on migration is dependent on the addition of EGF to the cells. In contrast, c-erbB2 seems to act independently of its ligand in these assays. Overexpression of this receptor is sufficient to induce cell migration. In addition, we investigated the involvement of a number of signal transduction pathways known to be activated by the EGFR. We found that inactivation of MAPKK results in a decreased migration, while inactivation of PI3K increases migration.