Identification of molecular mechanisms that regulate collective invasion of cancer cells

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670188
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Experimental pathology
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Enomoto Atsushi 名古屋大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (20432255)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 集団移動 / 集団浸潤 / 癌 / Girdin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of the study was to comprehensively reveal gene expression profile found in the “leading cells” that locate in the invasive forefront of cancer cell groups, based on the “monolayer culture model”, which we previously developed and “scratch assay” of cancer cells in culture. We identified several candidate genes that are specifically upregulated in the leading cells in culture. However, our immunohistochemistry on lung cancer tissues did not show specific expression of the products of those genes in the leading cells. We next identified a component of the intercellular adhesion as a candidate interacting protein for Girdin that is known as a critical regulator of collective migration of neuroblasts. The dynamics of cell-cell adhesion is an important property of cells that undergo collective migration. The identified protein complex, therefore, may have a role in the collective migration of cells.

Free Research Field

実験病理学