Abstract
Elevated expression of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has been observed in a variety of cancers and has been further correlated with poor clinical outcome. Here, we show that mammary epithelial disruption of ILK results in a profound block in mammary tumor induction. Consistent with these observations, inhibition of ILK function in ErbB2-expressing cells with small molecule inhibitor or RNA interference resulted in profound block in their in vitro invasive properties due to the induction of apoptotic cell death. The rare ILK-deficient tumors that eventually arose overcame this block in tumor induction by an upregulation of ErB3 phosphorylation. These observations provide direct evidence that ILK has a critical role in the initiation phase of ErbB2 tumor induction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3374-3385 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Oncogene |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 10 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- ErbB2
- Integrin-linked kinase
- Mammary tumorigenesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research