Migration of tumor cells is a crucial step in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here we provide evidence that aquaporin expression is involved in tumor cell migration. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis...Migration of tumor cells is a crucial step in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here we provide evidence that aquaporin expression is involved in tumor cell migration. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis demonstrated the AQP1 protein expression on the plasma membrane of SMMC-7221 human hepatoma cells. SMMC-7221 cell clones with high (SMMC-7221hPf) and low (SMMC-7221lPf) water permeability were identified by functional assays with corresponding high and low AQP1 expression. Cell migration rate was remarka- bly higher in SMMC-7221hPf cells than SMMC-7221l Pf cells, assessed by Boyden chamber and wound healing assays, whereas cell growth and adhesion were not different. Adenovirus-mediated AQP1 ex- pression in SMMC-7221lPf cells increased their water permeability and migration rate. These results pro- vide the first evidence that aquaporin-mediated membrane water permeability enhances tumor cell migration and may be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars （Grant No. 30325011） National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No. 30470405）+1 种基金 Distinguished Young Scholars Fund of Jilin Province （Grant No. 20030112） Excellent Young Teachers Program of Ministry of Education of China.
文摘Migration of tumor cells is a crucial step in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here we provide evidence that aquaporin expression is involved in tumor cell migration. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis demonstrated the AQP1 protein expression on the plasma membrane of SMMC-7221 human hepatoma cells. SMMC-7221 cell clones with high (SMMC-7221hPf) and low (SMMC-7221lPf) water permeability were identified by functional assays with corresponding high and low AQP1 expression. Cell migration rate was remarka- bly higher in SMMC-7221hPf cells than SMMC-7221l Pf cells, assessed by Boyden chamber and wound healing assays, whereas cell growth and adhesion were not different. Adenovirus-mediated AQP1 ex- pression in SMMC-7221lPf cells increased their water permeability and migration rate. These results pro- vide the first evidence that aquaporin-mediated membrane water permeability enhances tumor cell migration and may be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.
