ROCKs are expressed in brain tumors and are required for glioma-cell migration on myelinated axons.

Oellers P, Schröer U, Senner V, Paulus W, Thanos S

Research article (journal)

Abstract

The interactions between migrating glioma cells and myelinated fiber tracts are poorly understood. We identified that C6 glioma cells can migrate along myelinated chicken retinal axons in a novel coculture, thereby expressing small GTPases of the Rho family and serine/threonine Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs). We found that the ROCK1 isoform is also highly expressed in native human high-grade gliomas. Glioma cells migrated faster in vitro along myelinated axons than on laminin-1, with the former but not the latter being specifically and reversibly blocked by the ROCK inhibitor Y27632. These data suggest that the mechanisms underlying the migration of glioma cells on myelinated axons differ from those underlying the migration on extracellular matrix molecules such as laminin-1.

Details about the publication

JournalGlia
Volume57
Issue5
Page range499-509
StatusPublished
Release year2009
Language in which the publication is writtenEnglish
DOI10.1002/glia.20777
KeywordsHumans; Chick Embryo; Retina; Amides; Actins; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Rats; Neoplasm Staging; Cell Movement; Animals; Enzyme Inhibitors; Laminin; Nerve Fibers Myelinated; Pyridines; Coculture Techniques; Axons; rho-Associated Kinases; Glioma; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Chick Embryo; Retina; Amides; Actins; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Rats; Neoplasm Staging; Cell Movement; Animals; Enzyme Inhibitors; Laminin; Nerve Fibers Myelinated; Pyridines; Coculture Techniques; Axons; rho-Associated Kinases; Glioma; Brain Neoplasms

Authors from the University of Münster

Paulus, Werner
Institute of Neuropathology
Senner, Volker
Institute of Neuropathology
Thanos, Solon
Institut für Experimentelle Ophthalmologie