Semaphorin-7a reverses the ERF-induced inhibition of EMT in Ras-dependent mouse mammary epithelial cells

Mol Biol Cell. 2012 Oct;23(19):3873-81. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E12-04-0276. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

Abstract

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in cancer progression and metastasis, requiring cooperation of the epidermal growth factor/Ras with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway in a multistep process. The molecular mechanisms by which Ras signaling contributes to EMT, however, remain elusive to a large extent. We therefore examined the transcriptional repressor Ets2-repressor factor (ERF)-a bona fide Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase effector-for its ability to interfere with TGF-β-induced EMT in mammary epithelial cells (EpH4) expressing oncogenic Ras (EpRas). ERF-overexpressing EpRas cells failed to undergo TGF-β-induced EMT, formed three-dimensional tubular structures in collagen gels, and retained expression of epithelial markers. Transcriptome analysis indicated that TGF-β signaling through Smads was mostly unaffected, and ERF suppressed the TGF-β-induced EMT via Semaphorin-7a repression. Forced expression of Semaphorin-7a in ERF-overexpressing EpRas cells reestablished their ability to undergo EMT. In contrast, inhibition of Semaphorin-7a in the parental EpRas cells inhibited their ability to undergo TGF-β-induced EMT. Our data suggest that oncogenic Ras may play an additional role in EMT via the ERF, regulating Semaphorin-7a and providing a new interconnection between the Ras- and the TGF-β-signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / physiology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Female
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Semaphorins / genetics
  • Semaphorins / metabolism
  • Semaphorins / physiology*
  • Transcriptome
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Erf protein, mouse
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Sema7a protein, mouse
  • Semaphorins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • ras Proteins