Scar/WAVE3 contributes to motility and plasticity of lamellipodial dynamics but not invasion in three dimensions

Biochem J. 2012 Nov 15;448(1):35-42. doi: 10.1042/BJ20112206.

Abstract

The Scar (suppressor of cAMP receptor)/WAVE [WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) verprolin homologous] complex plays a major role in the motility of cells by activating the Arp2/3 complex, which initiates actin branching and drives protrusions. Mammals have three Scar/WAVE isoforms, which show some tissue-specific expression, but their functions have not been differentiated. In the present study we show that depletion of Scar/WAVE3 in the mammalian breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 results in larger and less dynamic lamellipodia. Scar/WAVE3-depleted cells move more slowly but more persistently on a two-dimensional matrix and they typically only show one lamellipod. However, Scar/WAVE3 appears to have no role in driving invasiveness in a three-dimensional Matrigel™ invasion assay or a three-dimensional collagen invasion assay, suggesting that lamellipodial persistence as seen in two-dimensions is not crucial in three-dimensional environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor / cytology
  • Cell Line, Tumor / ultrastructure
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Shape
  • Clone Cells / cytology
  • Collagen
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Laminin
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Proteoglycans
  • Pseudopodia / chemistry
  • Pseudopodia / physiology*
  • Pseudopodia / ultrastructure
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Time-Lapse Imaging
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / genetics
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / physiology*

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Gels
  • Laminin
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • WASF3 protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family
  • matrigel
  • Collagen