Curcumin inhibition of the functional interaction between integrin α6β4 and the epidermal growth factor receptor

Mol Cancer Ther. 2011 May;10(5):883-91. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-10-1053. Epub 2011 Mar 9.

Abstract

The functional interaction between integrin α6β4 and growth factor receptors has been implicated in key signaling pathways important for cancer cell function. However, few attempts have been made to selectively target this interaction for therapeutic intervention. Previous studies showed that curcumin, a yellow pigment isolated from turmeric, inhibits integrin α6β4 signaling important for breast carcinoma cell motility and invasion, but the mechanism is not currently known. To address this issue, we tested the hypothesis that curcumin inhibits the functional interaction between α6β4 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this study, we found that curcumin disrupts functional and physical interactions between α6β4 and EGFR, and blocks α6β4/EGFR-dependent functions of carcinoma cells expressing the signaling competent form of α6β4. We further showed that curcumin inhibits EGF-dependent mobilization of α6β4 from hemidesmosomes to the leading edges of migrating cells such as lammelipodia and filopodia, and thereby prevents α6β4 distribution to lipid rafts where functional interactions between α6β4 and EGFR occur. These data suggest a novel paradigm in which curcumin inhibits α6β4 signaling and functions by altering intracellular localization of α6β4, thus preventing its association with signaling receptors such as EGFR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Curcumin / chemistry
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Hemidesmosomes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha6beta4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Integrin alpha6beta4 / metabolism*
  • Membrane Microdomains / drug effects
  • Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Integrin alpha6beta4
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Curcumin