Nuclear TIAM1 makes lung cancer cells move.

What is it about?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Its high mortality results from its readiness to metastasise, wherein cancer cells spread around the body. For the cells to spread to other organs they need to be able to move out of the primary tumour to reach the blood vessels. For this to happen, it is important for lung cancer cells to undergo what scientists call an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). During this transition, cancer cells change from a cube-like morphology to an elongated morphology and also separate from each other. At present, we have an incomplete understanding of how this dramatic reprogramming of cell phenotype is achieved. In this study, we demonstrate that a protein called TIAM1 promotes EMT and migration of lung cancer cells when localised in the nucleus. Further, we identify the molecular mechanism behind this. Moreover, we find that high nuclear TIAM1 is associated with advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma and decreased survival.

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Photo by Kelsey Todd on Unsplash

Photo by Kelsey Todd on Unsplash