A genetic screen in Drosophila for metastatic behavior

Science. 2003 Nov 14;302(5648):1227-31. doi: 10.1126/science.1088474. Epub 2003 Oct 9.

Abstract

A genetic screen was designed in Drosophila to interrogate its genome for mutations sufficient to cause noninvasive tumors of the eye disc to invade neighboring or distant tissues. We found that cooperation between oncogenic RasV12 expression and inactivation of any one of a number of genes affecting cell polarity leads to metastatic behavior, including basement membrane degradation, loss of E-cadherin expression, migration, invasion, and secondary tumor formation. Inactivation of these cell polarity genes cannot drive metastatic behavior alone or in combination with other tumor-initiating alterations. These findings suggest that the oncogenic background of tissues makes a distinct contribution toward metastatic development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basement Membrane / metabolism
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Polarity / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Eye
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genes, ras
  • Genetic Testing
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Models, Animal*
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Scrib protein, Drosophila
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins