Pim-3 is expressed in endothelial cells and promotes vascular tube formation

J Cell Physiol. 2009 Jul;220(1):82-90. doi: 10.1002/jcp.21733.

Abstract

Pim-3 is a member of proto-oncogene Pim family that encodes serine/threonine kinases. Pim proteins regulate both apoptosis and cellular metabolism by phosphorylating their substrates. Here, we report for the first time that Pim-3 is highly expressed at mRNA and protein levels in endothelial cells (ECs). We found that Pim-3 is concentrated at the cellular lamellipodia and co-localized with focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Pim-3 was dispersed from lamellipodia when ECs were treated with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization. In addition, small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene knockdown of Pim-3 significantly impaired EC spreading, migration, and proliferation, leading to a reduction in tube-like structure formation in a Matrigel assay. These results provide the novel evidence that Pim-3 plays an essential role in EC spreading and migration, suggesting that Pim-3 may be an important molecular target for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / enzymology
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Shape
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochalasin D / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / enzymology*
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pseudopodia / enzymology
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stress Fibers / enzymology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Cytochalasin D
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • PTK2 protein, human
  • PIM3 protein, human
  • Pim3 protein, rat
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases