Rho GTPases and cancer cell transendothelial migration

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:827:123-42. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-442-1_9.

Abstract

Small Rho GTPases are major regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and influence cell shape and migration. The expression of several Rho GTPases is often up-regulated in tumors and this frequently correlates with a poor prognosis for patients. Migration of cancer cells through endothelial cells that line the blood vessels, called transendothelial migration or extravasation, is a critical step during the metastasis process. The use of siRNA technology to target specifically each Rho family member coupled with imaging techniques allows the roles of individual Rho GTPases to be investigated. In this chapter we describe methods to assess how Rho GTPases affect the different steps of cancer cell transendothelial cell migration in vitro.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Endothelial Cells / enzymology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Primary Cell Culture / methods
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Time-Lapse Imaging
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / genetics*
  • Transfection
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins