[Role of Rac1 activation in migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cell line SW480].

Objective: To study the role of activation of Rac1 in colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion.

Methods: Rac1 L61 plasmid and control plasmid were transfected into colorectal cancer cell line SW480 cells. Pull down assay by Western blotting was carried out to measure the amount of activited Rac1, and transwell permeable supports were used to assess the migration and invasion of SW480 cells with different activitivity of Rac1.

Results: The transfection ratio of SW480 cells was more than 80%. Pull down assay showed that the activited Rac1 was significantly higher in the SW480 cells transfected with Rac1 L61 plasmid than that in the control, and the amount of migrating and invasing SW480 cells transfected with Rac1 L61 plasmid in the Transwell permeable supports were significantly more than those in controls (migrating cell numbers: 43 +/- 9 vs. 22 +/- 5, P < 0.01; invasing cell numbers: 73 +/- 13 vs. 38 +/- 1, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The activation of Rac1 plays an important role in the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells.