Håkan Axelson
Research team manager
Gas6 and the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Author
Summary, in English
BACKGROUND: The molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is complex and not fully understood. We have recently found that the expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in the RCC tumors independently correlates with survival of the patients. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we have investigated the role of Axl and its ligand Gas6, the vitamin-K dependent protein product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6, in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) derived cells. The Axl protein was highly expressed in ccRCC cells deficient in functional von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein, a tumor suppressor gene often inactivated in ccRCC. VHL reconstituted cells expressed decreased levels of Axl protein, but not Axl mRNA, suggesting VHL to regulate Axl expression. Gas6-mediated activation of Axl in ccRCC cells resulted in Axl phosphorylation, receptor down-regulation, decreased cell-viability and migratory capacity. No effects of the Gas6/Axl system could be detected on invasion. Moreover, in ccRCC tumor tissues, Axl was phosphorylated and Gas6 gamma-carboxylated, suggesting these molecules to be active in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide novel information regarding the complex function of the Gas6/Axl system in ccRCC.
Department/s
- Clinical Chemistry, Malmö
- Department of Translational Medicine
Publishing year
2009
Language
English
Publication/Series
PLoS ONE
Volume
4
Issue
10
Full text
- Available as PDF - 630 kB
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Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Topic
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Cancer and Oncology
Status
Published
Research group
- Clinical Chemistry, Malmö
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1932-6203