The molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic dissemination are still not completely understood. We have recently shown that β1 integrin-dependent cell adhesion to fibronectin and signaling is affected by a transmembrane molecule, Trop-2, which is frequently upregulated in human carcinomas. Here, we report that Trop-2 promotes metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells in vivo and is abundantly expressed in metastasis from human prostate cancer. We also show here that Trop-2 promotes prostate cancer cell migration on fibronectin, a phenomenon dependent on β1 integrins. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Trop-2 and the α5β1 integrin associate through their extracellular domains, causing relocalization of α5β1 and the β1-associated molecule talin from focal adhesions to the leading edges. Trop-2 effect is specific as this molecule does not modulate migration on vitronectin, does not associate with the major vitronectin receptor, αvβ3 integrin, and does not affect localization of αvβ3 integrin as well as vinculin in focal adhesions. We show that Trop-2 enhances directional prostate cancer cell migration, through modulation of Rac1 GTPase activity. Finally, we show that Trop-2 induces activation of PAK4, a kinase that has been reported to mediate cancer cell migration. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that β1 integrin-dependent migratory and metastatic competence of prostate cancer cells is enhanced by Trop-2. Cancer Res; 73(10); 3155–67. ©2013 AACR.

Prostate cancer is a significant cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in men in the United States. In 2013, more than 238,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 29,000 men are estimated to die from this disease (1), mostly due to metastatic dissemination in distant organs. The molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic spreading are still not completely understood. However, loss of intercellular contacts and acquisition of enhanced capacity to migrate on extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates represent critical steps for the onset of the metastatic cascade (2–4). The integrin family of transmembrane receptors mediates interaction between cells and ECM. Integrins are heterodimers generated by the noncovalent association between one α and one β subunit (5). Each integrin heterodimer has the ability to recognize and bind multiple ligands, and mediate cell adhesion, spreading, and migration through modulation of several intracellular signaling pathways (5). Efficient cell migration on ECM substrates requires dynamic turnover of focal adhesions, assembled at cell–ECM contacts. These structures are macromolecular complexes of integrins and other transmembrane receptors linked to the actin cytoskeleton through several adaptors (6). As integrins are central regulators of focal adhesion dynamics, changes of their expression profiles and/or activities in cancer represent a functionally relevant contribution to the metastatic dissemination (7–9).

The major fibronectin receptor, α5β1 integrin, plays a critical role during cancer progression, promoting migratory and invasive phenotypes, and generation of contractile forces (10). Inactivation of α5β1 integrin with blocking antibodies has been reported to be responsible for reduced motility of aggressive C4-2 prostate cancer cells on fibronectin (11). This suggests that the fibronectin–α5β1 axis may be a target for therapeutic approaches against aggressive cancer.

Trop-2 is a type-1 transmembrane glycoprotein that comprises an extracellular domain covering most protein sequence, a single hydrophobic transmembrane helix and a 26-aa intracytoplasmic C-terminal tail. Within the extracellular portion of Trop-2 there are 2 distinct motifs, designated as GA733 type-1 and thyroglobulin type-1A, and also detected in the Trop-2 paralog, Trop-1/EpCAM (12). The intracytoplasmic domain of Trop-2 contains a HIKE motif for binding to pleckstrin homology domains and a PKC phosphorylation site (13). The Trop molecules modulate cell–cell adhesion through homophilic interactions between multimers localized on the surface of adjacent cells, and interact with tight junction proteins (14). mRNA and protein levels of Trop-2, recently analyzed in several human carcinomas, are upregulated in most cancer tissues as compared with their normal counterparts (15). This upregulation results in accelerated tumor growth and correlates with poor prognosis (15). We and other investigators have shown that Trop-2 is predominantly expressed in the basal layer of the benign human prostatic epithelium (16, 17). However, Trop-2 is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer as compared with benign luminal cells (15, 16), which give rise to prostate cancer. This evidence suggests a role for Trop-2 during disease progression.

We have recently shown that Trop-2 modulates β1 integrin-mediated attachment of prostate cancer cells to fibronectin; specifically, Trop-2 seems to function as an antiadhesive molecule on this ECM ligand (18). This evidence and the observation that mutations of the TROP2 gene are responsible for a hereditary corneal amyloidosis known as Gelatinous drop-like dystrophy, characterized by altered ECM and integrin distribution (19), suggest that Trop-2 modulates not only cell–cell but also cell–ECM interactions. Here, we show that Trop-2 promotes metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells in vivo; consistently, we observe that this molecule is abundantly expressed in human prostate cancer metastases to various organs. Trop-2 is shown here to stimulate directional migration of prostate cancer cells on fibronectin through relocalization of α5β1 integrin and its associated molecule talin from focal adhesions to the leading edges. In conclusion, our findings show an active role for Trop-2 in promoting metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells, and identify this molecule as a novel therapeutic target for aggressive disease.

Reagents, DNA constructs, and antibodies

Preparation and use of ECM ligands have been previously described (18). DNA plasmids for expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) alone or Trop-2-GFP in PC3-MM2 cells were previously described (15). DNA plasmid for expression of a Trop-2 variant devoid of the cytoplasmic tail (Δcyto Trop-2) was a kind gift by Dr. S. Alberti, CeSI–Foundation University ‘G. d'Annunzio', Chieti Scalo, Italy. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to Trop-2 were from Dharmacon (SMARTPool: L-010609-00). Tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC)-conjugated phalloidin (Sigma-Aldrich) was used for staining of actin cytoskeleton. All primary and secondary antibodies used in this study are listed in Supplementary Table S1.

Cells and culture conditions

Cell lines, culture conditions, and generation of cell transfectants have been previously described (18). Authentication of the cell lines was provided with their purchase from American Type Culture Collection; cells were used in our laboratory for less than 6 months. PC3-MM2 cells (tested, authenticated by fingerprinting and provided by Dr. Sue-Hwa Lin, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX) were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% nonessential aminoacids, and 1 mmol/L sodium pyruvate.

Generation of protein lysates

Cell lysates were prepared by scraping cells in 20 mmol/L Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 150 mmol/L NaCl, 1 mmol/L CaCl2, 1 mmol/L MgCl2, 1% Brij-97, 1 mmol/L benzamidine, 10 μg/mL leupeptin, 1 mmol/L phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 1 μg/mL pepstatin A, 1 μmol/L calpain inhibitor, 1 mmol/L Na3VO4, and 1 mmol/L Na4O7P2. After 15 minutes of incubation on ice, lysates were centrifuged at 12,000 × g for 10 minutes. Supernatants were collected and protein content was determined using the DC Protein Assay Kit (Bio-Rad). Samples were subjected to 10% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and transferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes for immunoblotting.

Immunoprecipitation

Immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted as follows: cells were lysed in the lysis buffer described above and preclearing was carried out by 2 consecutive incubations with protein G-Sepharose at 4ºC for 45 minutes. Binding to specific antibodies was conducted by incubation at 4ºC for 3 hours, followed by incubation with protein G-Sepharose at 4ºC for 1 hour. After 6 washes with lysis buffer, immunocomplexes were eluted with 100 mmol/L glycine pH 2.5, followed by pH neutralization using Tris to a final concentration of 50 mmol/L. The immunocomplexes were then separated by SDS-PAGE. For integrin activation experiments, immunoprecipitation was carried out lysing PC3-1 cells after extensive washes with PBS without Ca2+/Mg2+, followed by incubation with PBS supplemented with 0.2 mmol/L MnCl2 at 37ºC for 10 minutes. Ligand-dependent association was assayed seeding PC3-1 cells on fibronectin, vitronectin, or collagen-I, followed by lysis and processing as described above. Cells were lysed after exposure to the various ligands for different amounts of time (fibronectin, 40 minutes; vitronectin, 75 minutes; collagen-I, 15 minutes) to ensure comparable rate of spreading, as determined by light microscopy analysis.

Rho GTPase activation assays

Rac1 and Rho activation experiments were conducted using the specific, nonradioactive kits from Millipore (#17-441 and #17-294), following the manufacturer's instructions. PC3-1/control (ctr.) short hairpin RNA (shRNA), PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA, PC3-2/Mock, and PC3-2/Trop-2 cells were seeded on fibronectin for 60 minutes before lysis and processing for detection of Rac1-GTP and Rho-GTP.

Cell migration assay

Transwell chambers (12 μm pore diameter, Costar) were coated with fibronectin (10 μg/mL) or vitronectin (10 μg/mL) overnight at 4ºC. After cell detachment and trypsin inactivation, cells were seeded on coated Transwell chambers at 37°C for 5 hours. After fixation with 3.7% paraformaldehyde (PFA), the cells attached on both layers of the porous filter were stained with 1 μg/mL 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and pictures of nuclei were acquired by fluorescence microscopy (Olympus IX71 or Nikon Eclipse TS-100 inverted microscopes equipped with fluorescence unit). Then, the cells on the top layer were removed using a cotton swab, and pictures of nuclei from cells migrated to the bottom layer were acquired. Five and 20 random fields were acquired for quantification of attached and migrated cells, respectively. Cell Profiler software (www.cellprofiler.org) was used for quantification of nuclei number, using 10 to 30 pixel units as range for discrimination between single nuclei and potential aggregates. The ratio between number of cells migrated onto the bottom layer and total (top + bottom) number of cells attached on the filter was calculated for each group of transfectants. AIIB2, an inhibitory antibody to β1, was used at the concentration of 30 μg/106 cells to conduct migration assays on PC3-2 transfectants. A nonimmune rat IgG was used as a negative control antibody at the same concentration as AIIB2. The assays were repeated at least 3 times, and similar results were observed. The χ2 test was used for statistical analysis.

Live cell microscopy analysis of cell movements on fibronectin

PC3-2 and LNCaP cell transfectants were seeded at 2 × 104 cells/mL and allowed to spread for 3 hours on fibronectin in 24-well plates. Cell movements were monitored using a widefield live cell imaging system: images were acquired on a Zeiss live cell imaging system (Axiovert 200M, Carl Zeiss) using a ×20 objective and a Coolsnap HQ CCD monochrome camera (Roper) at 10-minute intervals for 17 hours. A programmable X,Y,Z stage (Prior Proscan III) was used for acquisition of multiple positions and stitching of large areas. Cells were maintained at 37°C in a humidified 5% (v/v) CO2 atmosphere during the time course using a dedicated environmental chamber (Okolab). Images were then converted to stacks using ImageJ, and migration tracks of nondividing, nonclustered cells were manually obtained using the Manual Tracking (http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/plugins/track/track.html) and the Chemotaxis and Migration Tool (version 1.01; Ibidi GmbH, Martinsried, Germany; http://ibidi.com/software/chemotaxis_ and_migration_tool/?x21b49=6f65b0702c4bf44855c8e20db340358) ImageJ plugins. Directionality (persistence) was determined by dividing the linear displacement of a cell after 17 hours by the total distance moved, where migration in a straight line equals to a directionality of 1. Migration paths in 4 randomly chosen fields were tracked in duplicate wells for each cell type. The significance of changes in directionality, velocity, total distance, and linear displacement was determined using a Student t test.

Animal model of cancer cell dissemination

All experiments were conducted in accordance with NIH guidelines for the humane use of animals. All protocols involving the use of animals were approved by the Drexel University College of Medicine Committee for the Use and Care of Animals. Male SCID mice (6- to 8-week old) were anesthetized with 100 mg/kg ketamine and 20 mg/kg xylazine and successively inoculated in the left cardiac ventricle with PC3-MM2 cell transfectants (2.5 × 105 cells in a volume of 100 μL of serum-free DMEM). Cell inoculation was conducted with an insulin syringe with a 30-gauge needle. Blue-fluorescent polystyrene beads (10 μm diameter, Invitrogen-Molecular Probes) were coinjected with cancer cells, and their detection by fluorescence microscopy in different organs at necropsy confirmed the successful inoculation in the systemic blood circulation. Mice were sacrificed at 2 weeks following inoculation and tissues prepared as described below.

Livers were collected and fixed in 4% PFA for 24 hours and then transferred into fresh PFA for additional 24 hours. Tissues were frozen in optimal cutting temperature medium (Electron Microscopy Sciences) by placement over dry ice-chilled 2-methylbutane (Fisher). Eighty micrometer thick sections were obtained using a Microm HM550 cryostat (Mikron Instruments). Twenty-seven sections were cut from each liver, and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy.

Bright-field and fluorescent images of cancer cells homing to the liver parenchyma were acquired using an upright microscope (AX10, Carl Zeiss) coupled to a Multispectral Imaging System (CRI). Spectral deconvolution was applied to fluorescence images using the Nuance Software (v. 2.4), to generate color-coded digital images. Two investigators (M. Trerotola and L.R. Languino) analyzed and counted the number of metastatic foci.

Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy

Cells were seeded on fibronectin-coated glass coverslips for 1 hour at 37°C. Then, fixation with 3.7% PFA was carried out for 15 minutes at room temperature, followed by quenching with 50 mmol/L NH4Cl. The cells were permeabilized by incubation with PBS/0.2% Triton X-100 for 5 minutes, and then incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature with the blocking solution (PBS/5% BSA). Single staining and/or costaining were conducted incubating samples with primary antibodies for 20 minutes at room temperature, followed by incubation with secondary antibodies (Alexa Fluor 488-Rabbit anti mouse and/or Alexa Fluor 633-Donkey anti goat) for 20 minutes at room temperature. After 3 washes, coverslips were mounted on glass slides using Pro-Long anti-fade reagent (Invitrogen), and the slides were analyzed on an inverted confocal microscope (LSM510, Carl Zeiss) using Plan-Apochromat ×63 (1.4 NA) or Plan-Neofluar ×100 (1.3 NA) lenses. Staining for visualization of talin in focal adhesions and membrane rims was conducted on adhesive structures (cell ghosts), obtained by osmotic shock of cells seeded on fibronectin. Briefly, the fibronectin-adherent cells were rinsed with PBS, then incubated in H2O for 1 minute to osmotically disrupt the cells, and quickly flushed to shear away the dorsal membranes. The structures were then fixed in 3.7% PFA and processed for staining and immunofluorescence analysis.

Immunohistochemical analysis

Prostate cancer metastases were from the following locations: liver, lung, retroperitoneal soft tissue, portal lymph nodes, paraaortic lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, pulmonary hilar lymph nodes, pelvic lymph nodes, dura, spleen, adrenal glands, kidney, pleura, pancreas, and bladder. The tissues were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, then a tissue microarray was constructed with 3 cores (0.6 mm in diameter) taken from each representative block, as described in (20). Tissue samples were collected after “rapid” autopsies at the University of Michigan Hospitals (Ann Arbor, MI) under Institutional Review Board-approved protocols. Autopsies have been referred to as “rapid” or “warm” because of the short-time interval between patient death and necropsy. Staining by immunohistochemistry was conducted using a goat polyclonal antibody (pAb) to Trop-2, as described in (16).

Trop-2 expression induces metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells in animal models and is abundant in human prostate cancer metastasis

We have shown that Trop-2 inhibits prostate cancer cell adhesion to fibronectin in vitro by modulation of the β1 integrin–RACK1–FAK–Src signaling axis (18). Here, we investigated the effect of Trop-2 expression in vivo. We used PC3-MM2 cells, previously characterized to depend on β1 integrins for metastatic growth in various organs (S.H. Lin; personal communication). As these cells do not express Trop-2 endogenously, we generated stable transfectants expressing GFP alone or Trop-2-GFP (Supplementary Fig. S1A). We injected these transfectants in the arterial circulation of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice via left cardiac ventricle and analyzed liver sections (n = 27/mouse) after 2 weeks to detect fluorescent foci. Using spectral deconvolution on fluorescence microscopy sections, we obtained color-coded pictures (Supplementary Fig. S1B), that were analyzed for detection of cells penetrated in the liver parenchyma (Fig. 1A). We detect a total of 53 foci in the Trop-2-GFP group (n = 4 mice), as compared with 9 foci detected in the control group (n = 4 mice). As overexpression of Trop-2 promotes prostate cancer metastatic dissemination in preclinical models (Fig. 1A), we investigated the relevance of these findings in human prostate cancer metastasis. We analyzed Trop-2 expression levels in human prostate cancer metastasis by immunohistochemistry. We used tissue microarrays containing 120 cores obtained from 40 “rapid” autopsy specimens (20). Analysis of 3 cores representative of each of the 40 “rapid” autopsy specimens (120 cores total), shows that, as depicted in Fig. 1B, expression of Trop-2 is found in all distant metastases analyzed, including liver, lymph nodes, lung, pancreas, retroperitoneal soft tissue, and dura metastasis. This evidence shows an active role for Trop-2 in prostate cancer metastatic dissemination.

Figure 1.

Trop-2 induces prostate cancer cell dissemination in vivo and is abundantly expressed in human prostate cancer metastasis. A, PC3-MM2/Trop-2-GFP and PC3-MM2/GFP were injected in the left cardiac ventricle of SCID mice, and the presence of fluorescent cells in livers was quantified after 2 weeks. Representative pictures of PC3-MM2/Trop-2-GFP (left) and PC3-MM2/GFP (right) cells in the liver parenchyma are shown. Arrows and magnification boxes, fluorescent cells. B, representative immunohistochemical images of Trop-2 expression in liver, dura, lung, pancreas, retroperitoneal soft tissue, paraaortic lymph nodes (LN), and portal lymph node metastasis from patients with prostate cancer (PrCa) are shown. Bars, 100 μm.

Figure 1.

Trop-2 induces prostate cancer cell dissemination in vivo and is abundantly expressed in human prostate cancer metastasis. A, PC3-MM2/Trop-2-GFP and PC3-MM2/GFP were injected in the left cardiac ventricle of SCID mice, and the presence of fluorescent cells in livers was quantified after 2 weeks. Representative pictures of PC3-MM2/Trop-2-GFP (left) and PC3-MM2/GFP (right) cells in the liver parenchyma are shown. Arrows and magnification boxes, fluorescent cells. B, representative immunohistochemical images of Trop-2 expression in liver, dura, lung, pancreas, retroperitoneal soft tissue, paraaortic lymph nodes (LN), and portal lymph node metastasis from patients with prostate cancer (PrCa) are shown. Bars, 100 μm.

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Trop-2 stimulates β1 integrin-dependent directional migration of prostate cancer cells

We investigated the effect of Trop-2 on integrin-mediated cell migration using PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants and DU145/Trop-2 shRNA cells (18) seeded on fibronectin- and vitronectin-coated Transwell plates (Fig. 2A and B). The percentage of PC3-2/Trop-2 cells migrated on fibronectin (48.4 ± 4.2%) is significantly higher than Mock (13.0 ± 4.9%) and β5 (12.3 ± 4.9%) transfectants (Fig. 2A and Supplementary Fig. S2A). On the other hand, the percentage of PC3-2/Trop-2 cells migrated on vitronectin (26.5 ± 5.1%) is similar to that of mock (21.4 ± 4.9%) or β5 (20.9 ± 5.4%) transfectants (Fig. 2A). Consistent with a role for Trop-2 as a promoter of integrin-mediated migration, we observe strong reduction of DU145 migration on fibronectin (Fig. 2B) upon shRNA-mediated silencing of Trop-2 (18). The percentage of DU145/Trop-2 shRNA cells migrated on fibronectin (22.3 ± 4.6%) is indeed significantly smaller than parental cells (54.8 ± 5.1%). In contrast, the percentage of DU145/Trop-2 shRNA cells migrated on vitronectin (31.0 ± 2.2%) does not change as compared with parental cells (25.8 ± 3.0%). Altogether, these data show that the antiadhesive function of Trop-2 (18) results in an enhanced migratory phenotype of prostate cancer cells, and this effect is selectively detectable when cells are seeded on fibronectin. The contribution of Trop-2 to prostate cancer cell migration is completely reverted in the presence of AIIB2, an inhibitory antibody to β1, indicating that β1 integrins are the mediators of Trop-2-dependent cell–ECM interactions (Fig. 2C). We also analyzed velocity, distance, and directionality of PC3-2 (Fig. 2D) and LNCaP (Supplementary Fig. S2B) transfectants seeded on fibronectin-coated plates by observing their migration paths over 17 hours. The velocity of PC3-2/Trop-2 cells (4.6 ± 0.2 μm/hour) is significantly higher than that of mock (2.9 ± 0.1 μm/hour) transfectants. The directionality of PC3-2/Trop-2 (0.63 ± 0.02) migration is also significantly increased as compared with that of Mock (0.46 ± 0.02) cells (Fig. 2D). Similar evidence was obtained using LNCaP cell transfectants. The velocity of LNCaP/Trop-2 cells (9.6 ± 0.3 μm/hour) is significantly higher than that of Mock (6.9 ± 0.3 μm/hour) transfectants. The directionality of LNCaP/Trop-2 (0.47 ± 0.02) migration is also significantly increased as compared with that of Mock (0.29 ± 0.02) cells (Supplementary Fig. S2B). We observe lower levels of Rac1-GTP in PC3-2/Trop-2 as compared with Mock transfectants, as well as higher levels of Rac1-GTP in PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA as compared with ctr. shRNA cells seeded on fibronectin (Fig. 2E). These findings are in agreement with previous reports showing that enhanced directional migration results from suppression of Rac1 activity in the peripheral lamellae and specific accumulation of active Rac1 in the axial leading edges (21). Thus, Trop-2 appears to stimulate directional migration by modulating important signaling pathways at the leading edges.

Figure 2.

β1 integrin-dependent prostate cancer cell migration is enhanced by Trop-2. A, migration assays were conducted using PC3-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin (FN)- or vitronectin (VN)-coated Transwell chambers, as described in Materials and Methods. The fraction of cells migrated onto the bottom layer was calculated for each group of transfectants and expressed as percentage of total number of cells attached on both filter layers. Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. B, migration assays were also conducted using DU145/Trop-2 shRNA versus parental DU145 cells seeded on fibronectin- or vitronectin-coated Transwell chambers. Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. C, migration of PC3-2 transfectants on fibronectin was assessed in the presence of AIIB2, an inhibitory antibody to β1 integrins. A nonimmune rat IgG was used as negative control antibody. **, P < 0.001. D, PC3-2/Trop-2 (top) and PC3-2/Mock (bottom) transfectants seeded on fibronectin-coated plates were observed for 17 hours by time-lapse video microscopy; the movements of individual cells were followed using cell-tracking software, and the panels are presented as overlays of trajectories described by cells during their migration (left). Bar graphs show directionality, velocity, total distance migrated, and linear displacement of PC3-2/Trop-2 (n = 63 cells) and PC3-2/Mock (n = 68 cells) transfectants extracted from the trajectories (right). Values are reported as means ± SEM. **, P < 0.001. E, Rac1-GTP (left) and Rho-GTP (right) levels were measured in PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA and ctr. shRNA cells, as well as in PC3-2/Trop-2 and mock transfectants seeded on fibronectin. Trop-2 expression was quantified in both groups of cell lines tested for Rac1 and Rho activity. FAK, control for protein loading.

Figure 2.

β1 integrin-dependent prostate cancer cell migration is enhanced by Trop-2. A, migration assays were conducted using PC3-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin (FN)- or vitronectin (VN)-coated Transwell chambers, as described in Materials and Methods. The fraction of cells migrated onto the bottom layer was calculated for each group of transfectants and expressed as percentage of total number of cells attached on both filter layers. Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. B, migration assays were also conducted using DU145/Trop-2 shRNA versus parental DU145 cells seeded on fibronectin- or vitronectin-coated Transwell chambers. Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. C, migration of PC3-2 transfectants on fibronectin was assessed in the presence of AIIB2, an inhibitory antibody to β1 integrins. A nonimmune rat IgG was used as negative control antibody. **, P < 0.001. D, PC3-2/Trop-2 (top) and PC3-2/Mock (bottom) transfectants seeded on fibronectin-coated plates were observed for 17 hours by time-lapse video microscopy; the movements of individual cells were followed using cell-tracking software, and the panels are presented as overlays of trajectories described by cells during their migration (left). Bar graphs show directionality, velocity, total distance migrated, and linear displacement of PC3-2/Trop-2 (n = 63 cells) and PC3-2/Mock (n = 68 cells) transfectants extracted from the trajectories (right). Values are reported as means ± SEM. **, P < 0.001. E, Rac1-GTP (left) and Rho-GTP (right) levels were measured in PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA and ctr. shRNA cells, as well as in PC3-2/Trop-2 and mock transfectants seeded on fibronectin. Trop-2 expression was quantified in both groups of cell lines tested for Rac1 and Rho activity. FAK, control for protein loading.

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Trop-2 colocalizes with β1 integrins at the leading edges of prostate cancer cells

We have previously shown that Trop-2 does not affect expression or ion-mediated activation of β1 (18). β1 integrins are part of the focal adhesion platforms and contribute to stabilize cell attachment to ECM ligands (22). Therefore, we hypothesized that Trop-2 affects β1 functions by interfering with recruitment of these receptors into focal adhesions. We achieved stable silencing of Trop-2 in endogenously expressing PC3-1 cells using shRNA (Fig. 3A), and stable ectopic expression of this molecule by transfecting PC3-2 cells with the human TROP2 cDNA (Fig. 3B; ref. 18). Then, we seeded PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA cells and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants on fibronectin and conducted immunofluorescence analysis to detect the subcellular distribution of various integrin receptors. In PC3-1, we observe localization of β1 in focal adhesions of Trop-2 shRNA cells, whereas these receptors are accumulated in the membrane of ctr. shRNA cells (Fig. 3C, left). In these cells, the average number of β1-containing focal adhesions is 78.2 ± 4.5/cell in Trop-2 shRNA cells (focal adhesions, n = 2,504/32 cells) as compared with 7.5 ± 1.1/cell in ctr. shRNA cells (focal adhesions, n = 240/32 cells; Fig. 3C, right). The localization of αv integrins in focal adhesions is unaffected upon silencing of Trop-2 (Fig. 3C, left); the number of αv-containing focal adhesions is indeed 55 ± 2.9/cell in Trop-2 shRNA cells (focal adhesions, n = 993/18 cells) as compared with 47 ± 4.9/cell in ctr. shRNA cells (focal adhesions, n = 985/21 cells; Fig. 3C, right). In PC3-2 cell transfectants, we observe localization of β1 in the membrane of Trop-2–expressing cells and predominant distribution of these receptors in peripheral and ventral focal adhesions of Mock cells (Fig. 3D, left). The average number of β1-containing focal adhesions is 27.2 ± 6.2 per cell in Trop-2 transfectants (focal adhesions, n = 545/20 cells) as compared with 79.4 ± 9.2 per cell in mock cells (focal adhesions, n = 1,350/17 cells; Fig. 3D, right). In these cells, the localization of β3 integrin in focal adhesions is unchanged upon ectopic expression of Trop-2 (Fig. 3D, left). Indeed, the number of β3-containing focal adhesions is 35 ± 6 per cell (focal adhesions, n = 841/24 cells) in PC3-2/Trop-2 as compared with 48 ± 10 per cell (focal adhesions, n = 530/11 cells) in PC3-2/mock cells (Fig. 3D, right). These effects are unlikely to depend on a nonphysiologic amount of Trop-2 obtained upon transfection, as its expression levels in PC3-2 (Fig. 3B) transfectants are similar to the endogenous levels detected in PC3-1 (18). We further verified that these effects are not due to changes in other integrin subunit expression; similar to β1 (Supplementary Fig. S3A and S3B, left), surface levels of β3 (Supplementary Fig. S3A, right) and αv (Supplementary Fig. S3B, right) integrin subunits are unaffected by Trop-2.

Figure 3.

β1 integrins are localized at the leading edges rather than focal adhesions in Trop-2–expressing cells. A, Trop-2 expression was evaluated by immunoblotting after shRNA-mediated silencing in PC3-1 cells. FAK, control for protein loading. B, Trop-2 expression levels in PC3-2 transfectants were evaluated by FACS (continuous black line). PC3-2/Mock stained with an antibody to Trop-2 (dotted black line) and PC3-2/Trop-2 stained with a nonimmune mouse IgG (continuous gray line) were used as negative controls. C, localization of β1 and αv in PC3-1/ctr. shRNA and PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA cells seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). β1- and αv-containing focal adhesions were counted, and average numbers per cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. D, localization of β1 and β3 integrins in PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). β1- and β3-containing focal adhesions were counted in the 2 groups of transfectants, and average numbers per cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001.

Figure 3.

β1 integrins are localized at the leading edges rather than focal adhesions in Trop-2–expressing cells. A, Trop-2 expression was evaluated by immunoblotting after shRNA-mediated silencing in PC3-1 cells. FAK, control for protein loading. B, Trop-2 expression levels in PC3-2 transfectants were evaluated by FACS (continuous black line). PC3-2/Mock stained with an antibody to Trop-2 (dotted black line) and PC3-2/Trop-2 stained with a nonimmune mouse IgG (continuous gray line) were used as negative controls. C, localization of β1 and αv in PC3-1/ctr. shRNA and PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA cells seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). β1- and αv-containing focal adhesions were counted, and average numbers per cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. D, localization of β1 and β3 integrins in PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). β1- and β3-containing focal adhesions were counted in the 2 groups of transfectants, and average numbers per cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001.

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Strong colocalization between Trop-2 and β1 in discrete membrane compartments is observed in both parental PC3-1 cells (endogenously expressing Trop-2) and PC3-2 transfectants (Fig. 4A). As expected, we did not detect any colocalization of Trop-2 with β5 (Fig. 4A), which is uniformly distributed on the cell surface in agreement with previous reports (23). As shown in Fig. 4B, we observe strong colocalization of Trop-2 with the phosphorylated form of Akt (pAkt) that is frequently accumulated at the leading edges of actively migrating cells (24). Using PC3-2/Trop-2 (Fig. 4C, left) and DU145/Trop-2 cells transfected with siRNA (Fig. 4C, right), we also find that Trop-2 stimulates the phosphorylation of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a kinase that is localized at the leading edges of migratory cells and promotes focal adhesion turnover by inhibiting the formation of mature, large focal adhesions in DU145 cells migrating on fibronectin (25). Overall, our findings suggest that the antiadhesive function of Trop-2 leads to enhanced migration of prostate cancer cells on ECM ligands through accumulation of β1 integrins in the leading edges and reduced localization in focal adhesions. In support of our evidence obtained by immunofluorescence microscopy (Fig. 4A), coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays conducted using parental PC3-1 cells and LNCaP transfectants also reveal interaction between β1 and Trop-2 (Fig. 4D). This association is specific, as we do not detect any interaction between Trop-2 and β3 (Fig. 4E). We carried out immunoprecipitation of β1 integrins upon stimulation of PC3-1 cells with Mn2+ ions (Supplementary Fig. S4A), which are known to induce a conformational switch in the β1 extracellular domain, leading to activation of the molecule by exposure of the cation-and-ligand–influenced binding site epitopes (18). Furthermore, we immunoprecipitated β1 integrins upon seeding of PC3-1 cells on fibronectin, vitronectin, or collagen-I (Supplementary Fig. S4B) to detect ligand-dependent effects. Comparable amount of the Trop-2/β1 complex is detected in all experimental conditions tested, suggesting the existence of a binding interface exposed and available for the interaction of Trop-2 and β1 integrins at all time.

Figure 4.

The Trop-2/β1 integrin complex is accumulated in the leading edges of prostate cancer cells seeded on fibronectin. A, PC3-1 cells, endogenously expressing Trop-2 (first row from top), and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants (second row from top) were seeded on fibronectin and stained for Trop-2 (green) and β1 integrins (red). Arrows show colocalization of β1 and Trop-2 in membrane rims at the leading edges. Goat IgG and mouse IgG, negative control antibodies for Trop-2 and β1, respectively (third row from top). PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin were also stained for Trop-2 and β5 integrin. Arrowheads show Trop-2-containing membrane protrusions (green), with undetectable colocalization of β5 (red; bottom row). B, PC3-2/Trop-2-GFP (green) transfectants were seeded on fibronectin, then fixed and stained with an antibody to pAkt (Ser473; red). Arrows, leading edges. A and B, bars, 10 μm. C, phosphorylation of PAK4 was analyzed by comparing PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants with negative control cells (PC3-2/β5; left). Phosphorylation of PAK4 was also analyzed in DU145 cells upon siRNA-mediated silencing of Trop-2. A nonsilencing (NS) siRNA was used as negative control (right). Total PAK4, control of protein loading. D, β1 integrins and Trop-2 were immunoprecipitated from PC3-1 protein lysates; the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting using a goat pAb against Trop-2 and a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against β1 integrins, respectively (top). Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from LNCaP transfectant lysates, and the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting using a goat pAb against β1 integrins. LNCaP/Trop-2 transfectants were compared with Mock or β3 integrin transfectants (bottom). E, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Trop-2 cell lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using an antibody against β3 integrin. D and E, a mouse IgG (Neg.Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation (IP).

Figure 4.

The Trop-2/β1 integrin complex is accumulated in the leading edges of prostate cancer cells seeded on fibronectin. A, PC3-1 cells, endogenously expressing Trop-2 (first row from top), and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants (second row from top) were seeded on fibronectin and stained for Trop-2 (green) and β1 integrins (red). Arrows show colocalization of β1 and Trop-2 in membrane rims at the leading edges. Goat IgG and mouse IgG, negative control antibodies for Trop-2 and β1, respectively (third row from top). PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants seeded on fibronectin were also stained for Trop-2 and β5 integrin. Arrowheads show Trop-2-containing membrane protrusions (green), with undetectable colocalization of β5 (red; bottom row). B, PC3-2/Trop-2-GFP (green) transfectants were seeded on fibronectin, then fixed and stained with an antibody to pAkt (Ser473; red). Arrows, leading edges. A and B, bars, 10 μm. C, phosphorylation of PAK4 was analyzed by comparing PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants with negative control cells (PC3-2/β5; left). Phosphorylation of PAK4 was also analyzed in DU145 cells upon siRNA-mediated silencing of Trop-2. A nonsilencing (NS) siRNA was used as negative control (right). Total PAK4, control of protein loading. D, β1 integrins and Trop-2 were immunoprecipitated from PC3-1 protein lysates; the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting using a goat pAb against Trop-2 and a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against β1 integrins, respectively (top). Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from LNCaP transfectant lysates, and the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting using a goat pAb against β1 integrins. LNCaP/Trop-2 transfectants were compared with Mock or β3 integrin transfectants (bottom). E, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Trop-2 cell lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using an antibody against β3 integrin. D and E, a mouse IgG (Neg.Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation (IP).

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Overall, these data suggest that a novel Trop-2/β1 complex is responsible for preferential accumulation of β1 in the leading edges of cells seeded on fibronectin, and consequently enhanced cell migration on this ECM ligand.

The α5β1 integrin heterodimer is accumulated in the leading edges in response to Trop-2 expression

Among the integrin heterodimers able to bind fibronectin, α5β1 integrin plays a critical role in inducing invasive phenotypes (10). Therefore, we assessed whether the localization of the α5 subunit reflected the Trop-2-dependent distribution of β1 in focal adhesions or leading edges of prostate cancer cells seeded on fibronectin. As shown in Fig. 5A (left), we observe that α5 integrin is indeed relocalized in leading edges of PC3-2 cells upon ectopic expression of Trop-2. The average number of α5-containing focal adhesions is 5.0 ± 0.7 per cell in Trop-2 transfectants (focal adhesions, n = 92/20 cells) as compared with 51.0 ± 1.9 per cell in mock cells (focal adhesions, n = 1,544/30 cells; Fig. 5A, right). Similar to the other integrin subunits, surface levels of α5 are unchanged upon expression of Trop-2 (Supplementary Fig. S3C). Colocalization of Trop-2 with α5 is observed at the leading edges of both Trop-2 endogenously (DU145) and exogenously (PC3-2) expressing cells seeded on fibronectin (Fig. 5B). On the other hand, αv integrins, extensively accumulated in focal adhesions, do not colocalize with Trop-2, which is never found in these structures (Fig. 5C). This observation is further confirmed by immunoprecipitation of the αv subunit, followed by immunoblotting analysis of Trop-2 and β1 (Fig. 5D). Integrins are continuously internalized from and recycled to the plasma membrane, and Rab4- and Rab11-positive compartments are major routes of this trafficking cycle (26). Upon induction of membrane receptor trafficking, we observe localization of Trop-2 in Rab4- and Rab11-positive vesicles (Supplementary Fig. S5A). We also find colocalization between Trop-2 and α5β1 integrin in both internalization (Supplementary Fig. S5B, top) and recycling (Supplementary Fig. S5B, bottom) vesicles. This suggests that Trop-2 forms a complex with α5β1 during trafficking from/to plasma membrane and facilitates localization of α5β1 at the leading edges preventing accumulation in focal adhesions.

Figure 5.

α5β1 integrin is accumulated in the leading edges of Trop-2–expressing cells. A, localization of α5 in PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 cells seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). α5-containing focal adhesions were counted, and average numbers/cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. B, DU145 cells, endogenously expressing Trop-2 (top), and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants (bottom) were seeded on fibronectin and stained for Trop-2 (green) and α5 (red). Arrows show colocalization of α5 and Trop-2 in membrane rims at the leading edges. C, PC3-1 cells were seeded on fibronectin, and colocalization of Trop-2 with β1 or αv integrins at the leading edges was assessed by confocal microscopy. A–C, bars, 10 μm. D, PC3-1 cell lysates were immunoprecipitated using an antibody targeting αv integrins; β1, Trop-2, and αv were then detected by immunoblotting. A nonimmune mouse IgG was used as a negative control antibody (Neg. Ctr.).

Figure 5.

α5β1 integrin is accumulated in the leading edges of Trop-2–expressing cells. A, localization of α5 in PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 cells seeded on fibronectin was analyzed by immunofluorescence (left). α5-containing focal adhesions were counted, and average numbers/cell are shown in the bar graph (right). Error bars, SEM. **, P < 0.001. B, DU145 cells, endogenously expressing Trop-2 (top), and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants (bottom) were seeded on fibronectin and stained for Trop-2 (green) and α5 (red). Arrows show colocalization of α5 and Trop-2 in membrane rims at the leading edges. C, PC3-1 cells were seeded on fibronectin, and colocalization of Trop-2 with β1 or αv integrins at the leading edges was assessed by confocal microscopy. A–C, bars, 10 μm. D, PC3-1 cell lysates were immunoprecipitated using an antibody targeting αv integrins; β1, Trop-2, and αv were then detected by immunoblotting. A nonimmune mouse IgG was used as a negative control antibody (Neg. Ctr.).

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Trop-2 binds the β1/talin complex, which is relocalized to the cell membrane

Functionally, a Trop-2-mediated redistribution of β1 may impact on cytoskeletal dynamics and focal adhesion turnover. The focal adhesion proteins vinculin and talin mediate a link between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton, and contribute to the modulation of cytoskeletal dynamics. Recent evidence highlighted the importance of talin during prostate cancer progression, as this protein induces migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo (27). Binding of talin to the integrin cytoplasmic tail is mediated by the N-terminal head domain (talin-H; ref. 28), which is generated upon cleavage of the full-length talin by intracellular calcium-dependent proteases, calpains and has been reported to promote focal adhesion turnover and cell migration (29). As shown in Fig. 6A, we observe an interaction between Trop-2 and talin-H by co-IP using PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants. Moreover, talin is no longer accumulated in focal adhesions in PC3-2 cells upon ectopic expression of Trop-2, as observed by immunofluorescence staining of adhesive structures (n = 50 cells/group), designated as cellular ghosts (Fig. 6B). On the other hand, vinculin, which directly binds F-actin and is more tightly associated with focal adhesions than talin, remains localized in these platforms independently on the presence of Trop-2 (Fig. 6C). Furthermore, we observe increased association between β1 and talin-H in the presence of Trop-2 as compared with negative control cells (Fig. 6D). An additional set of experiments was conducted to characterize the interaction of Trop-2 with β1 and talin. A Trop-2 variant devoid of the cytoplasmic tail (Δcyto Trop-2) was transfected in PC3-2 cells (Supplementary Fig. S6) and immunoprecipitation of Trop-2 was conducted to detect β1 and talin. We observe that the amount of β1 integrins and talin-H coimmunoprecipitated with wild-type Trop-2 is similar to that detected in the immunoprecipitates of Δcyto Trop-2 (Fig. 6E). This suggests that the cytoplasmic tail of Trop-2 is not involved in the association with talin, and that the binding to β1 integrins occurs through their extracellular domains. Furthermore, in support of an indirect, β1-dependent binding, the association between Trop-2 and talin is compromised upon silencing of β1 (data not shown). We do not detect binding of Trop-2 to either full-length-talin (Fig. 6E) or the adaptor molecule Kindlin-1 (Fig. 6F), suggesting that the association may occur in other stages of adhesion dynamics, when the calpain-mediated cleavage of talin determines accelerated focal adhesion turnover and induces destabilization of cell attachment to the ECM ligand (29, 30). We prove that the actin cytoskeleton dynamics is indeed affected in prostate cancer cells by Trop-2; as shown in Fig. 7, staining of PC3-1/ctr. shRNA and PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA cells with phalloidin-TRITC reveals a strikingly different distribution of the stress fibers. In particular, the actin cytoskeleton is accumulated at the leading edge of PC3-1/ctr. shRNA seeded on fibronectin, and colocalizes with both Trop-2 and β1 integrins throughout the entire cell thickness, as depicted by the representative ventral and dorsal cell layers (Fig. 7, top). On the other hand, long radial stress fibers appear in the ventral side of PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA cells (Fig. 7, bottom); these findings are in agreement with recent reports, showing that radial stress fibers are responsible for stabilizing focal adhesions over long times and slowing their disassembly (31).

Figure 6.

Trop-2 coprecipitates with and induces relocalization of talin from focal adhesions to cell edges. A, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 lysates; the immunoprecipitates were separated by nonreducing SDS-PAGE and analyzed by immunoblotting using an antibody (Ab) against talin-H. B, localization of talin was analyzed in ghosts of Mock and Trop-2 transfectants of PC3-2 cells, seeded on fibronectin. Talin (green) is localized in focal adhesions of mock cells, where β1 integrins (red) are also found (top). In Trop-2 transfectants, talin is localized in membrane rims together with Trop-2 (red; middle). Magnified boxes show details of talin (green) localization in membrane rims and focal adhesions (bottom). Trop-2 localization in membrane rims is also shown (red). C, PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants were seeded on fibronectin, and then stained for vinculin. Localization of vinculin in peripheral and ventral focal adhesions is shown. B and C, bars, 10 μm. D, β1 integrins were immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 protein lysates; the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting to detect talin-H. A mouse IgG (Neg. Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation. E, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock, PC3-2/Trop-2, and PC3-2/Δcyto Trop-2 protein lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using mAbs against full-length-talin and talin-H, and goat pAbs against Trop-2 and β1 integrins. RED, SDS-PAGE carried out in reducing conditions. NR, SDS-PAGE carried out in nonreducing conditions. F, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-1 protein lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using a rabbit pAb against Kindlin-1. A mouse IgG (Neg. Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation.

Figure 6.

Trop-2 coprecipitates with and induces relocalization of talin from focal adhesions to cell edges. A, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 lysates; the immunoprecipitates were separated by nonreducing SDS-PAGE and analyzed by immunoblotting using an antibody (Ab) against talin-H. B, localization of talin was analyzed in ghosts of Mock and Trop-2 transfectants of PC3-2 cells, seeded on fibronectin. Talin (green) is localized in focal adhesions of mock cells, where β1 integrins (red) are also found (top). In Trop-2 transfectants, talin is localized in membrane rims together with Trop-2 (red; middle). Magnified boxes show details of talin (green) localization in membrane rims and focal adhesions (bottom). Trop-2 localization in membrane rims is also shown (red). C, PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 transfectants were seeded on fibronectin, and then stained for vinculin. Localization of vinculin in peripheral and ventral focal adhesions is shown. B and C, bars, 10 μm. D, β1 integrins were immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock and PC3-2/Trop-2 protein lysates; the immunoprecipitates were then analyzed by immunoblotting to detect talin-H. A mouse IgG (Neg. Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation. E, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-2/Mock, PC3-2/Trop-2, and PC3-2/Δcyto Trop-2 protein lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using mAbs against full-length-talin and talin-H, and goat pAbs against Trop-2 and β1 integrins. RED, SDS-PAGE carried out in reducing conditions. NR, SDS-PAGE carried out in nonreducing conditions. F, Trop-2 was immunoprecipitated from PC3-1 protein lysates, and immunoblotting analysis was conducted on the immunoprecipitates using a rabbit pAb against Kindlin-1. A mouse IgG (Neg. Ctr.) was used as a negative control antibody for immunoprecipitation.

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Figure 7.

Trop-2–dependent reorganization of actin cytoskeleton. PC3-1/ctr. shRNA (top rows) and PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA (bottom rows) cells were stained with antibodies against β1 integrins (green) and Trop-2 (red), as well as with phalloidin-TRITC to observe the actin cytoskeleton (cyan). Ventral (bottom) and dorsal (top) cell layers are shown.

Figure 7.

Trop-2–dependent reorganization of actin cytoskeleton. PC3-1/ctr. shRNA (top rows) and PC3-1/Trop-2 shRNA (bottom rows) cells were stained with antibodies against β1 integrins (green) and Trop-2 (red), as well as with phalloidin-TRITC to observe the actin cytoskeleton (cyan). Ventral (bottom) and dorsal (top) cell layers are shown.

Close modal

In summary, our data indicate that the α5β1/talin complex is rapidly destabilized from its localization inside the focal adhesion platform in highly motile, Trop-2–expressing cells. A molecular association of Trop-2 with the α5β1/talin complex redirects these proteins to the leading edges, counteracting the full maturation of focal adhesions. The resulting weak focal adhesions (where vinculin remains localized) cause detachment of cancer cells from the tumor ECM, enhancing migration and metastatic dissemination.

In this study, we have shown for the first time that Trop-2, an antiadhesive transmembrane protein that is frequently upregulated in human carcinomas, promotes metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells in vivo. These findings are relevant to human cancer as we observe abundant expression of Trop-2 in human prostate cancer metastasis, indicating that this molecule may be a key driver of prostate cancer progression. We also show here that Trop-2 promotes cancer cell migration on fibronectin, a phenomenon dependent on β1 integrins, through relocalization of the α5β1 heterodimer and of its associated protein talin from focal adhesions to the leading edges.

Our data support the notion that inhibiting cancer cell adhesion to fibronectin facilitates detachment from the tumor mass, where fibronectin is known to be largely expressed (32, 33), and dissemination toward distant organs; moreover, our findings reveal a novel role for Trop-2 as a driver of this event. This proposed role for Trop-2 during the early phases of cancer progression complements indeed a recent study by Zijlstra and colleagues, who reported that stabilization of focal adhesions induced by a specific antibody targeting the tetraspanin CD151 results in increased cell immobility as well as reduced migration in vitro and departure of cancer cells from the primary site in vivo (34). However, Wang and colleagues have provided unexpected evidence that loss of Trop-2 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in a model of skin cancer obtained by exposure of Arf-null mice to the carcinogen DMBA-TPA, that induces oncogenic mutations in the H-Ras gene (35). As suggested by the authors, downregulation of Trop-2 appears to be restricted to the sarcomatoid subset of human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, which has lost epithelial characteristics (35). Our results, instead, appear consistent with most studies, showing positive correlation between Trop-2 overexpression and poor prognosis in several human carcinomas (15).

Mechanistically, we prove here that Trop-2 associates with and induces relocalization of β1, but not β3 integrins at the leading edges, counteracting their accumulation in mature focal adhesions and consequently promoting migration of prostate cancer cells on fibronectin. Persistence of β1 integrins in focal adhesions has been reported to enhance resistance to motility (22), whereas localization at the leading edges promotes cell migration (36, 37). This evidence, and the fact that β1 integrins are differentially localized in normal prostate versus prostate cancer tissues (9), suggests a significant pathologic relevance of our findings. β1 integrins can be dynamically redistributed in subcellular compartments (38), and these events are modulated by several mechanisms, including tyrosine phosphorylation (39). Moreover, integrin functions are regulated by cross talks with other transmembrane receptors. Among other examples, CD47/IAP interacts with several integrin isoforms (40) and modulates cell migration on their ligands through Gi proteins; a cross talk between EGF receptor and β1 integrins has also been reported to promote the transformed phenotype of breast cancer cells in three-dimensional microenvironments (41). Thus, our study provides evidence that transmembrane proteins without enzymatic (e.g. kinase) activity, such as Trop-2, regulate β1 integrin redistribution at the leading edges of carcinoma cells seeded on fibronectin.

We show that Trop-2 stimulates the activity of PAK4, a kinase that enhances focal adhesion turnover in prostate cancer cells seeded on fibronectin (25) and mediates cancer cell dissemination via a cross talk with Src (42). As Trop-2 controls the β1 integrin–RACK1–FAK–Src signaling axis (18), a critical regulator of focal adhesion turnover and cell adhesion (43), our data indicate a potential role for PAK4 as downstream effector of the β1 integrin/Trop-2 complex. PAK kinases are known to mediate cell migration on ECM acting as effectors of Rho GTPases (Rho, Rac, Cdc42; ref. 44), which regulate β1-dependent actin/actomyosin dynamics (45). We show that Trop-2 promotes directional cell migration, a process largely dependent on a balanced activity of Rac1 at the axial leading edge (21).

Our findings also show that Trop-2 induces reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and selective removal of talin from focal adhesions. The association of talin with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] is a prerequisite for talin/integrin binding, as PI(4,5)P2 exposes integrin-binding sites on talin (46). Recently, the PI(4,5)P2-synthesizing enzyme, PIPKIγ, has been shown to critically modulate polarized integrin accumulation at the leading edge and directional cell migration (47). PIPKIγ forms a complex with talin, and this interaction enhances the binding of β1 integrins to talin at the leading edge, given the accumulation of PI(4,5)P2 in this compartment. PIPKIγ is recruited to the plasma membrane by electrostatic interactions between a positively charged flat surface of the molecule and the negatively charged phosphatidic acid in the plasma membrane (48). Although the molecular mechanisms underlying our findings that Trop-2 enhances the association between β1 and talin (Fig. 6) remain to be fully elucidated, they may involve cotranslocation of Trop-2 and PIPKIγ to membrane ruffles at the leading edge. Indeed, the C-ter portion of the Trop-2 cytoplasmic tail comprises an α-helix rich in Glu residues, that may interact with the cytosolic pool of PIPKIγ during translocation to the leading edge. We also show that both wild-type and Δcyto Trop-2 coimmunoprecipitate with β1 and talin-H, suggesting that the extracellular region of Trop-2 mediates binding to the β1/talin complex (Fig. 6). We did not observe co-IP between Trop-2 and full-length-talin, indicating that the interaction with β1/talin may take place upon generation of talin-H, due to the intracellular, calcium-dependent proteases, calpains. These enzymes play a crucial role in promoting cell migration, as they counteract excessive stabilization of focal adhesions (29). As Trop-2 is a calcium signal transducer (49), a contribution of this molecule in destabilization of focal adhesion through accelerated activation of calpains may be hypothesized. However, future studies are needed to address these various possibilities.

Although Trop-2 expression does not alter either protein levels or activity of β1 integrins in prostate cancer cells (18), we observe that these two proteins associate in a novel complex and colocalize in trafficking vesicles; as we never detect Trop-2 in focal adhesions, corecycling to leading edges from intracytoplasmic compartments is likely to represent a potential mechanism underlying the Trop-2–dependent phenotype observed in this study. Among other integrin subunits we analyzed Trop-2 effect on α5 integrin, which associates with β1 to form the major fibronectin receptor. We find that Trop-2 also colocalizes with α5 integrin at the leading edges and induces redistribution of this integrin subunit from focal adhesions to these membrane compartments, without affecting its surface levels. Migratory and invasive phenotypes of cancer cells may be modulated by changing α5β1 expression levels or function (10, 11); our findings show that cancer cell motility may be also enhanced by relocalizing this integrin heterodimer from focal adhesions to membrane ruffles at the leading edge. A potential mechanism to explain this Trop-2–dependent phenotype may involve integrin trafficking pathways, as recycling vesicles have been reported to increase the invasive properties of tumor cells (50).

In summary, we describe here a novel mechanism underlying prostate cancer cell migration on ECM components through a molecular cross talk between Trop-2, α5β1 integrin and talin.

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Conception and design: M. Trerotola, A. Fatatis, L.R. Languino

Development of methodology: M. Trerotola, A. Fatatis

Acquisition of data (provided animals, acquired and managed patients, provided facilities, etc.): M. Trerotola, J. Siddiqui, A. Fatatis

Analysis and interpretation of data (e.g., statistical analysis, biostatistics, computational analysis): M. Trerotola, Q. Liu, L.R. Languino

Writing, review, and/or revision of the manuscript: M. Trerotola, A. Fatatis, L.R. Languino

Administrative, technical, or material support (i.e., reporting or organizing data, constructing databases): D.L. Jernigan, J. Siddiqui

Study supervision: L.R. Languino

Statistical analysis: Q. Liu

The authors would like to thank S. Alberti, L. Borgia, E. Cuckierman, J. Davison, T. De Angelis, A. Dutta, C. Fedele, R. Galanti, K. Ganguly, H.L. Goel, E. Guerra, A. Sayeed, and T. Wang for constructive discussion; S. Alberti, E. Ruoslahti, and C. Has for antibodies; S. Alberti for the DNA plasmid encoding for Δcyto Trop-2; and S.H. Lin for the PC3-MM2 cells. The authors also thank Y. Covarrubias and J.H. Keen for constructive suggestions and technical support in bioimaging experiments.

This work was supported by the following grants: NIH-R01CA109874, NIH-R01CA089720, and NIH-P01CA140043 (L.R. Languino), NIH-SPORE in Prostate Cancer 2 P50 CA69568 (J. Siddiqui; Principal Investigator: K.J. Pienta), and Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC) Fellowship to M. Trerotola.

Research in this publication includes work carried out using the Kimmel Cancer Center Bioimaging Facility and the Translational Research & Pathology Shared Resource, which are supported in part by NCI Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA56036. This project is also funded, in part, under a Commonwealth University Research Enhancement Program grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Research. The department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

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