One of the more deadly properties of cancerous cells is their ability to leave their place of origin and invade surrounding tissues. While cancer research has provided a great deal of information about the survival and growth of tumors, the mechanisms that stimulate cancerous cells to migrate and become invasive, or metastasize, are not nearly as well understood.
A report in the December 28th issue of Cell provides new information about the molecular signals that enable a cell to become invasive.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School examined the mechanisms that trigger such changes in cell behavior. They identified genes required for cell migration by studying cells in the fruit fly ovary that migrate as a normal part of their development.
The results indicate that a chemical signal activates specific molecules associated with the JAK/STAT (Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription) signaling pathway in the migratory ovarian cells.
Cells that were lacking these molecules did not migrate normally, while artificial stimulation of the pathway could induce migration.
These same messaging molecules are known to be present and frequently over-activated in many human cancer cells.
They have already been shown to play a role in cancer cell proliferation and survival.
The research team suggests that molecules associated with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway may also play a role in the ability of some cancerous cells to become metastatic.
[Contact: Denise J. Montell]
03-Jan-2002
