An EGFR/Src-dependent β4 integrin/FAK complex contributes to malignancy of breast cancer

Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 9:5:16408. doi: 10.1038/srep16408.

Abstract

β4 integrin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are often associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients, and their signaling events have recently been linked to malignant outcomes. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, physical and functional interactions between β4 integrin and FAK that influence breast cancer malignancy. An amino-terminal linker within FAK is essential for its binding with the cytodomain of β4 integrin. Moreover, EGFR/Src-signaling triggers the tyrosine phosphorylation of β4 integrin, which, in turn, recruits FAK to β4 integrin and leads to FAK activation and signaling. Upon disruption of the β4 integrin/FAK complex, tumorigenesis and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer were markedly reduced. Importantly, the concomitant overexpression of β4 integrin and FAK significantly correlates with malignant potential in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. This study describes a pro-metastatic EGFR/Src-dependent β4 integrin/FAK complex that is involved in breast cancer malignancy and is a novel therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Activation
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Integrin beta4 / genetics
  • Integrin beta4 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src) / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Integrin beta4
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)