Arrangement of expression and distribution of tight junction protein claudin-1 in cell dissociation of pancreatic cancer cells

Int J Oncol. 2004 Dec;25(6):1567-74.

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MEK2) was isolated previously as a potential factor related to cancer cell dissociation in highly (PC-1.0) and weakly (PC-1) invasive pancreatic cancer cells. On the other hand, changes of structure and function of tight junction (TJ) are reported to be correlated with carcinogenesis and tumor development. In this study, immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed in pancreatic cancer cells using anti-claudin-1, MEK2 and phosphorylated MEK1/2 (p-MEK1/2) antibodies to reveal the correlation between TJ and cancer cell dissociation, as well as the involvement of MEK2 in regulation of TJ in cell dissociation of pancreatic cancer. After incubation with conditioned medium of PC-1.0 cells, plasma membrane distribution of claudin-1 was obviously disrupted, and expressions of MEK2 and p-MEK1/2, as well as dissociation of cell colonies, were significantly induced in PC-1 and CAPAN-2 cells. However, U0126 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) treatment apparently induced the plasma membrane distribution of claudin-1 and aggregation of single cells in PC-1.0 and AsPC-1 cells, synchronously seriously suppressed MEK2 and p-MEK1/2 expression. Arrangement of expression and distribution of claudin-1 is closely related to cell dissociation status in pancreatic cancer cells through MEK2 activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Movement
  • Claudin-1
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tight Junctions
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • CLDN1 protein, human
  • Claudin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MAP2K2 protein, human
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2