L1CAM: a major driver for tumor cell invasion and motility.

The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays a major role in the development of the nervous system and in the malignancy of human tumors. In terms of biological function, L1CAM comes along in two different flavors: (1) a static function as a cell adhesion molecule that acts as a glue between cells; (2) a motility promoting function that drives cell migration during neural development and supports metastasis of human cancers. Important factors that contribute to the switch in the functional mode of L1CAM are: (1) the cleavage from the cell surface by membrane proximal proteolysis and (2) the ability to change binding partners and engage in L1CAM-integrin binding.

E2F3a is critically involved in epidermal growth factor receptor-directed proliferation in ovarian cancer.

We describe for the first time a new integral molecular pathway, linking transcription factor E2F3a to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation in ovarian cancer cells. Investigations on the role of E2F family members in EGFR-mediated mitogenic signaling revealed that E2F3a was selectively upregulated following EGFR activation, whereas all other E2F family members remained unaffected. In contrast, EGF treatment of healthy ovarian surface epithelial and mesothelial cells yielded a selective upregulation of proliferation-promoting E2F1 and E2F2 without influencing E2F3a expression.

Nuclear translocation and signalling of L1-CAM in human carcinoma cells requires ADAM10 and presenilin/gamma-secretase activity.

L1-CAM (L1 cell-adhesion molecule), or more simply L1, plays an important role in the progression of human carcinoma. Overexpression promotes tumour-cell invasion and motility, growth in nude mice and tumour metastasis. It is feasible that L1-dependent signalling contributes to these effects.

The RGD integrin binding site in human L1-CAM is important for nuclear signaling.

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) is a transmembrane cell adhesion molecule initially defined as a promigratory molecule in the developing nervous system. L1 is also overexpressed in a variety of human carcinomas and is associated with bad prognosis. In carcinoma cell lines L1 augments cell motility and metastasis, tumor growth in nude mice and induces expression of L1-dependent genes.

Generation of novel, secreted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) isoforms via metalloprotease-dependent ectodomain shedding and exosome secretion.

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles derived from intracellular multivescicular bodies (MVBs) that can undergo constitutive and regulated secretion from cells. Exosomes can also secrete soluble proteins through metalloprotease-dependent ectodomain shedding. In this study, we sought to determine whether ErbB1 receptors are present within exosomes isolated from the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, and whether exosome-associated ErbB1 receptors can undergo further proteolytic processing.

The adhesion molecule L1 (CD171) promotes melanoma progression.

The adhesion molecule L1 is expressed in primary melanomas and cutaneous metastases in contrast to melanocytic nevi and melanocytes, and is significantly associated with metastatic spread. Recent studies have demonstrated that in carcinomas L1 expression is associated with sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and upregulation of ERK-dependent, motility- and invasion-associated gene products including alphavbeta3 integrin. The objective of this study was to further investigate the role of the adhesion molecule L1 in melanoma progression, and to evaluate whether targeting the L1 adhesion molecule would have therapeutic effects against invasive melanoma growth.

A role for exosomes in the constitutive and stimulus-induced ectodomain cleavage of L1 and CD44.

Ectodomain shedding is a proteolytic mechanism by which transmembrane molecules are converted into a soluble form. Cleavage is mediated by metalloproteases and proceeds in a constitutive or inducible fashion. Although believed to be a cell-surface event, there is increasing evidence that cleavage can take place in intracellular compartments.

Cleavage of L1 in exosomes and apoptotic membrane vesicles released from ovarian carcinoma cells.

Purpose: The L1 adhesion molecule (CD171) is overexpressed in human ovarian and endometrial carcinomas and is associated with bad prognosis. Although expressed as a transmembrane molecule, L1 is released from carcinoma cells in a soluble form. Soluble L1 is present in serum and ascites of ovarian carcinoma patients.

L1 augments cell migration and tumor growth but not beta3 integrin expression in ovarian carcinomas.

L1 is a neural cell adhesion molecule involved in cell migration, axon growth and guidance. Recent data have shown that L1 is overexpressed in ovarian and endometrial tumors and is associated with bad prognosis. How L1 promotes tumor progression is presently unknown.

L1 expression as a predictor of progression and survival in patients with uterine and ovarian carcinomas.

Background: Ovarian and uterine carcinomas are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in gynecological malignant diseases. We aimed to assess whether the L1 adhesion molecule, an important mediator for cell migration for neural and tumour cells, is expressed in these carcinomas.

Methods: We investigated L1 expression by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis of tumour samples.

ADAM10-mediated cleavage of L1 adhesion molecule at the cell surface and in released membrane vesicles.

Cells can release membrane components in a soluble form and as membrane vesicles. L1, an important molecule for cell migration of neural and tumor cells, is released by membrane-proximal cleavage, and soluble L1 promotes cell migration. Release of L1 is enhanced by shedding inducers such as phorbol ester and pervanadate, but it is also enhanced by depletion of cellular cholesterol with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD).