Cripto-1-induced increase in vimentin expression is associated with enhanced migration of human Caski cervical carcinoma cells

Cripto-1 (CR-1), a member of the EGF-CFC peptide family, plays an essential role during mesoderm formation in vertebrates as well as in cancer develop ment, Using cDNA gene expression array, Western blot, and indirect immunofl uorescence, an increase in vimentin expression was demonstrated in CR-1-tra nsfected human Caski cervical carcinoma cells compared to control vector-tr ansfected cells, In parental Caski cells, recombinant CR-1 induced a dose-d ependent increase of vimentin protein expression within 24 h, Since vimenti n expression has been demonstrated to correlate with a more aggressive phen otype in human cervical cancer, the migration capacity of CR-1-transfected or CR-1-treated Caski cells was studied in the Boyden chamber assay, Compar ed to the vector-transfected or untreated Caski cells, CR-1-transfected cel ls or cells treated with recombinant CR-1 exhibit enhanced migration, both through collagen- and through gelatin-coated membranes, Additionally, CR-1 can function as a chemoattractant for Caski cells, These findings are of bi ological significance since CR-1 is overexpressed in several types of human carcinomas, The present data demonstrate that CR-1 can increase vimentin e xpression and modulate migration in human cervical carcinoma cells.