The cytoskeletal protein LASP-1 differentially regulates migratory activities of choriocarcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: During healthy pregnancy, a distinct but limited invasion of trophoblast cells into the uterus occurs. In contrast, excessive trophoblast invasion is associated with placental choriocarcinoma (CC). Overexpression of the cytoskeletal protein LASP-1 was shown to contribute to cancer aggressiveness. Here, the yet unknown role of LASP-1 in CC cells is analysed.

METHODS: Expression of LASP-1 in human primary carcinoma was assessed by immunohistochemistry and confirmed in CC-derived cell lines by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot. After down-regulation of LASP-1 expression with specific si-RNA in CC-derived cell lines, migratory and proliferative activities were analysed by matrigel migration assay and WST-8 test.

RESULTS: LASP-1 expression was detected in human primary choriocarcinoma and in JEG-3, JAR and BeWo cells. Knock down of LASP-1 resulted in a decreased expression of LASP-1 protein in JEG-3 and JAR cells accompanied by a diminished migration and a decreased proliferative activity of these two cell lines. Knockdown of LASP-1 in BeWo cells failed. In consequence, migratory function and proliferation was unaffected.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study describing LASP-1 expression in CC cells. Detecting an affection of migratory processes after LASP-1 silencing, we propose that LASP-1 could impact on metastasis of CC cells.