Breast cancer cell biology

The Breast Cancer Cell Biology Group examines molecular pathways which control responses of breast cancer cells to various extracellular stimuli. We are specifically focused on regulation signalling via cell adhesion proteins of integrin superfamily and receptor tyrosine kinases.

We found that activities of these receptors can be regulated by tetraspanins, a family of four transmembrane domain proteins. Tetraspanins facilitate assembly of dynamic molecular aggregates on the cell surface which we named as tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (or TERMs).

Expression levels of various tetraspanin proteins and composition of TERMs are changed during the metastatic progression in breast cancer. We found that clustering of transmembrane proteins within TERMs and tetraspanin-dependent recruitment of cytoplasmic proteins to these microdomains coordinates a diverse range of signalling pathways which control behaviour of breast cancer cells.

We use various breast cancer model systems by growing human breast cancer cells in three dimensional extracellular matrix (3-D ECM) in combination with other cell types to mimic the effect of tumour microenvironment. We developed specialised imaging and biochemical approaches to analyse the role of tetraspanins in signalling in breast cancer cells cultured in 3D ECM.

Advanced proteomic analysis provides information on changes in composition of TERMs associated with progression in breast cancer. Together with structural biology approaches these data are used to pinpoint specific signalling pathways which control assembly of tetraspanin complexes.

Defining the role of tetraspanin proteins in responses of breast cancer cells to ERbB2-based therapies

ErbB2/HER-2 is a member of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors. When overexpressed (e.g. in 15-25% of breast cancers), ErbB2 forms spontaneous homo- and heterodimers, which can drive tumour cell proliferation and metastasis. Although targeting ErbB2-dependent pathway with Herceptin/Trastuzumab (humanized anti-ErbB2 mAb) and Lapatinib (a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor), has proven to be effective in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer patients, a significant proportion of them do not (or only partially) respond to the treatment.

We develop a model system in vitro to investigate how transmembrane proteins of the tetraspanin superfamily regulate responses of breast cancer cells to Herceptin and Lapatinib. Understanding molecular pathways which link the activity of tetraspanin complexes with ErbB2 will help to identify novel drug targets and develop a more effective protocol for the treatment of ErbB2-positive patients.

Mechanisms of EphrinB2-driven signalling in breast cancer

Bidirectional Eph-Ephrin signalling axis controls tissue differentiation and normal organ homeostasis. Abnormal activation of Eph – and Ephrin-dependent signalling is also a critical factor in tumourigenesis and metastasis. We investigate signalling mechanisms which regulate trafficking of activated EphrinB molecules in breast cancer cells and how this affects growth of cells inside three dimensional extracellular matrices.

Tetraspanin proteins and endocytic trafficking of associated proteins in breast cancer cells

Endocytic trafficking of transmembrane receptors controls intracellular signalling network and determines responses of breast cancer cells to extracellular environment. We study the composition and assembly of tetraspanin-based protein complexes which influence endocytic trafficking routes of transmembrane receptors.

• Rajesh S, Sridhar P, Tews BA, Cocquerel L, Berditchevski F, Overduin M. Structural basis of ligand interactions of the large extracellular tetraspanin domain of CD81. 2012, J Virol. v.86: 9606-16.
• Scales TME, Jayo A, Obara B, Holt MR, Hotchin NA, Berditchevski F, Parsons M. ???? integrins regulate CD151 complex assembly and membrane dynamics in carcinoma cells within 3D environments. 2012, Oncogene. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.415.
• Rajesh S, Bago R, Odintsova E, Muratov G, Baldwin G, Sridhar P, Rajesh S, Overduin M, Berditchevski F. 2011, Binding to syntenin-1 defines a new mode of ubiquitin-based interactions regulated by phosphorylation. J Biol Chem. v.286: 39606-14.
• Petersen SH, Odintsova E, Haigh TA, Rickinson AB, Taylor GS, Berditchevski F. The role of tetraspanin CD63 in antigen presentation via MHC class II. 2011, Eur. J Immun. v.41: 2556-61.
• Alexi X, Berditchevski F, Odintsova E. The effect of cell-ECM adhesion on signalling via the ErbB family of growth factor receptors. 2011, Biochem Soc Trans. v.39: 568-73.
• Romanska HM, Berditchevski F. Tetraspanins in human epithelial malignancies. 2011, J Pathol. v.223:4-14.

Principle Investigator(s)

Fedor Berditchevski

Postdocs

Ruzisca Bago

Students

Michael Parks
Izabela Bombik