Growth and survival of lung cancer cells: regulation by kallikrein-related peptidase 6 via activation of proteinase-activated receptor 2 and the epidermal growth factor receptor

Biol Chem. 2014 Sep;395(9):1015-25. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2014-0124.

Abstract

The dysregulated expression of kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is involved in non-small cancer (NSCLC) cell growth. However, the mechanism that sustains KLK6 signaling remains unknown. We used an isogenic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell model system to demonstrate that KLK6 promotes the proliferation of lung tumoral cells and restrains their apoptosis in vitro via ligand-dependent EGFR transactivation. KLK6 activated the ERK and Akt pathways and triggered the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. The stimulating effects of KLK6 required its proteolytic activity and were dependent on the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). These observations support the concept of a role for KLK6 in the oncogenesis of NSCLC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Kallikreins / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Transport
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Ligands
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Receptor, PAR-2
  • beta Catenin
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • KLK6 protein, human
  • Kallikreins