Intersectin1-s Is Involved in Migration and Invasion of Human Glioma Cells

Malignant gliomas have a tendency to invade diffusely into surrounding healthy brain tissues, thereby precluding their successful surgical removal. Intersectin1 (ITSN1) as a molecular linker in the central nervous system is well known as an important regulator of endocytosis and exocytosis. ITSN1 has two isoforms: ITSN1-l and ITSN1-s. In this study, we show that siRNA-mediated down regulation of ITSN1-s inhibited migration and invasion of glioma cells. In addition, we demonstrate the possible mechanisms by which ITSN1-s functions in migration and invasion. Several key proteins, including cofilin, LIMK, PAK, FAK, integrin beta 1, and MMP-9, which are critical for cells migration and invasion, were probably involved in ITSN1-s signaling pathways. These results suggest that ITSN1-s contributes to glioma cells migration and invasion by regulating the formation of cytoskeleton, influencing adhesion and increasing expression of MMP-9. Our results indicate that ITSN1-s is a critical factor in glioms invasion and identify that ITSN1-s is a new potentially antiinvasion target for therapeutic intervention in gliomas. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.