PUBLICATION

KRas-transformed epithelia cells invade and partially dedifferentiate by basal cell extrusion

Authors
Fadul, J., Zulueta-Coarasa, T., Slattum, G.M., Redd, N.M., Jin, M.F., Redd, M.J., Daetwyler, S., Hedeen, D., Huisken, J., Rosenblatt, J.
ID
ZDB-PUB-211214-41
Date
2021
Source
Nature communications   12: 7180 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Huisken, Jan, Redd, Michael
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Epidermis/metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells/metabolism*
  • Epithelium/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins
PubMed
34893591 Full text @ Nat. Commun.
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of carcinoma-related death, yet we know little about how it initiates due to our inability to visualize stochastic invasion events. Classical models suggest that cells accumulate mutations that first drive formation of a primary mass, and then downregulate epithelia-specific genes to cause invasion and metastasis. Here, using transparent zebrafish epidermis to model simple epithelia, we can directly image invasion. We find that KRas-transformation, implicated in early carcinogenesis steps, directly drives cell invasion by hijacking a process epithelia normally use to promote death-cell extrusion. Cells invading by basal cell extrusion simultaneously pinch off their apical epithelial determinants, endowing new plasticity. Following invasion, cells divide, enter the bloodstream, and differentiate into stromal, neuronal-like, and other cell types. Yet, only invading KRasV12 cells deficient in p53 survive and form internal masses. Together, we demonstrate that KRas-transformation alone causes cell invasion and partial dedifferentiation, independently of mass formation.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping