MENA Promotes Tumor-Intrinsic Metastasis through ECM Remodeling and Haptotaxis

Abstract

Oudin and colleagues report a novel and specific function of MENA in mediating directional migration of breast cancer cells toward a fibronectin gradient of increasing concentration. This MENA-mediated haptotactic response depends on the binding of MENA to the α5β1 integrin receptor, adhesion protein signaling, and fibronectin fibrillogenesis. Cancer Discov; 6(5); 474-6. ©2016 AACRSee related article by Oudin et al., p. 516.

Figure 1. The interaction between Mena and α5β1 integrin regulates cancer cell haptotaxis on FN and leads to metastasis

A tumor-disseminated cancer cell (orange) exhibits haptotactic movement on a gradient of increasing FN concentration (green). The interaction between Mena and α5β1 integrin allows the cancer cell to sense and grow up the FN gradient (vertical arrow) through increased pFAK signaling. Upon reaching FN-enriched blood vessels, the cancer cell undergoes intravasation into the vasculature, and subsequently gives rise to tumor metastasis.