Ezrin is a key molecule in the metastasis of MOLT4 cells induced by CCL25/CCR9

Chemokines and their corresponding receptors participate in transmigration of leukemic cells. ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) protein family act as linkers between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton and are key component in tumor metastasis. In this study we used the CCR9-expressing acute T lymphocytic cell line MOLT4 as a model and assesssed their morphological and functional changes in response to CCL25. The pseudopodium formed and ERM translocated from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane following treatment with CCL25. Ezrin silencing by miRNA showed that ezrin plays important roles in the polarization and invasive behaviour of MOLT4 cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.