LAMININ-BINDING PROTEINS IN EJ-RAS-TRANSFORMED FIBROBLASTS

Malignant transformation is accompanied by changes in cell-matrix inte ractions. Upon transfection with EJ-ras oncogene, transformed fibrobla sts acquired a migratory phenotype towards laminin-1. The increase in integrin expression was responsible for the migratory activity of tran sformed fibroblasts. In addition alpha 6 beta 1 integrins, both galect in-3 and an unidentified laminin-binding polypeptide had their express ion pattern altered upon transformation. Here, we review these two cla sses of laminin-binding proteins and their possible roles in cell-lami nin interactions.