New factor identified with key role in regulating hypoxia-induced metastasis

December 17, 20211 min
Non small cell lung tumor

Hypoxia — insufficient oxygen levels in tissues — initiates cancer cell invasion and metastasis through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) protein. During this process, cancer cells undergo a conversion to amoeboid migration, although the underlying mechanisms are not clear.

New research led by Veronika te Boekhorst, Ph.D., and Peter Friedl, M.D., Ph.D., identified calpain-2 as a key regulator of the amoeboid conversion in response to hypoxia. The researchers demonstrated that hypoxia and HIF stabilization stimulate calpain-2 to cleave the focal adhesion adaptor protein, talin-1, which in turn deactivates key cell adhesion proteins called β1 integrins. This process occurs with lower metabolic needs, meaning that it is more energy-efficient for cancer cells. Targeting calpain-2 restored talin-1 and β1 integrin activity, reverting cells to their original state and blocking metastasis in laboratory models.

The findings suggest that this pathway is a potential therapeutic target for blocking hypoxia-induced invasion and metastasis.

 

MJH footer logo with red letters

Medical Journal – Houston is the leading source of healthcare business news. With extremely relevant content, late-breaking news and monthly exclusives from industry experts, MJH News has created a winning combination of must-read editorial that physicians and hospital executives eagerly anticipate month after month. MJH News is the resource that provides everything they need in one place, and it is a high honor that they rely upon Medical Journal – Houston to keep their practice or hospital on the cutting edge.

Archives