The tumor suppressor functions of p27(kip1) include control of the mesenchymal/amoeboid transition

Mol Cell Biol. 2009 Sep;29(18):5031-45. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00144-09. Epub 2009 Jul 13.

Abstract

In many human cancers, p27 downregulation correlates with a worse prognosis, suggesting that p27 levels could represent an important determinant in cell transformation and cancer development. Using a mouse model system based on v-src-induced transformation, we show here that p27 absence is always linked to a more aggressive phenotype. When cultured in three-dimensional contexts, v-src-transformed p27-null fibroblasts undergo a morphological switch from an elongated to a rounded cell shape, accompanied by amoeboid-like morphology and motility. Importantly, the acquisition of the amoeboid motility is associated with a greater ability to move and colonize distant sites in vivo. The reintroduction of different p27 mutants in v-src-transformed p27-null cells demonstrates that the control of cell proliferation and motility represents two distinct functions of p27, both necessary for it to fully act as a tumor suppressor. Thus, we highlight here a new p27 function in driving cell plasticity that is associated with its C-terminal portion and does not depend on the control of cyclin-dependent kinase activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Shape*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / deficiency
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Mesoderm / cytology*
  • Mesoderm / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src) / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Mutant Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
  • Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src)
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein