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Strongylophorine-26, a Rho-dependent inhibitor of tumor cell invasion that reduces actin stress fibers and induces nonpolarized lamellipodial extensions

TitleStrongylophorine-26, a Rho-dependent inhibitor of tumor cell invasion that reduces actin stress fibers and induces nonpolarized lamellipodial extensions
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsMcHardy, LM, Warabi, K, Andersen, RJ, Roskelley, CD, Roberge, M
JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics
Volume4
Pagination772-778
Date PublishedMay
Type of ArticleArticle
ISBN Number1535-7163
KeywordsACTIVATION, ANGIOGENESIS, CYTOSKELETON, FAMILY, FOCAL ADHESIONS, KINASE, MIGRATION, MOTILITY, PROTEIN, SMALL GTPASE
Abstract

Strongylophorine-26, a new meroditerpenoid, was recently identified as an inhibitor of cancer cell invasion. This study was undertaken to characterize its mechanism of action. We find that strongylophorine-26 inhibits the motility of MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells on a plastic surface. Upon addition of strongylophorine-26, rapid cell contraction and depolarization occurred, followed by spreading and flattening of the entire cell. Treated cells exhibited increased membrane ruffling throughout and extended lamellipodia in all directions. Strongylophorine-26 induced a decrease in actin stress fibers, a dramatic increase in the size and number of focal adhesions, and the appearance of a dense meshwork of actin filaments around the cell periphery. Strongylophorine-26 caused a transient activation of the small GTPase Rho and treatment with the Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme abrogated the anti-invasive activity of strongylophorine-26. These effects are distinct from those of many motility and angiogenesis inhibitors that seem to act by a common mechanism involving the induction of actin stress fibers. This difference in mechanism of action sets strongylophorine-26 apart as an experimental anticancer agent and indicates that pharmacologic inhibition of cell migration may be achieved by mechanisms not involving the stabilization of actin stress fibers.

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