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Dependence of metastatic cancer cell invasion on MLCK-catalyzed phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain

Abstract

The role of myosin phosphorylation by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in regulating the invasiveness of metastatic cancer cells was investigated using the Dunning rat prostatic adenocarcinoma cell line, Mat Ly Lu, and in vitro invasion assay. Treatment with MLCK inhibitors resulted in marked reduction of invasiveness, which was principally due to impaired cellular motility, whereas the ability to survive and proliferate, to adhere to matrix, and to secrete gelatinases were minimally affected.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by a grant from Mahidol University and by The Thailand Research Fund to RT. The authors wish to thank Dr K Pienta for his generous gift of the Dunning cell lines and Dr P Wilairat for his critical reading of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to R Tohtong.

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Tohtong, R., Phattarasakul, K., Jiraviriyakul, A. et al. Dependence of metastatic cancer cell invasion on MLCK-catalyzed phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 6, 212–216 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500663

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