Objective: To study the role of T lymphoma invasion/metastasis gene 1 (Tiam1) and protein in ovarian tumor cells.
Methods: Expressions of Tiam1 mRNA, Rac1 mRNA, and Tiam1 protein in four ovarian tumor cells A2780, Caov3, Skov3, and SW626 were studied by using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell migration ability was analyzed by in vitro invasion assay.
Results: Expressions of Tiam1 mRNA and protein, as well as Rac1 mRNA were detected in all four ovarian tumor cells. There was a strong direct correlation between the levels of Tiam1 and Rac1 mRNA expression and migration potentials of all four ovarian cancer cells in vitro experiments. The increased expressions of Tiam1 mRNA were coincident with those of Rac1 mRNA, with a parallel relationship (P = 0.003, r = 0.874). Levels of Rac1 mRNA expression were significantly correlated with the potentials of tumor cell migration (P = 0.042, r = 0.814).
Conclusion: Tiam1-Rac1 signaling pathway plays a positive role in assessing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and provides a new target for gene therapy of ovarian cancer.