Taxol reduces cytosolic E-cadherin and β-catenin levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line TW-039: Cross-talk between the microtubule- and actin-based cytoskeletons

• Published in: Journal of cellular biochemistry 2000-12, Vol.79 (4), p.542-556
• Main Authors: Lou, Pei-Jen, Chen, Wen-Pin, Lin, Chin-Tarng, Chen, Hui-Chin, Wu, Jiahn-Chun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: actin; Actins - metabolism; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; beta Catenin; Cadherins - metabolism; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases - metabolism; catenin; Cell Size - drug effects; Cytoskeletal Proteins - metabolism; Cytoskeleton - drug effects; Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Cytosol - drug effects; Cytosol - metabolism; E-cadherin; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; microtubule; Microtubules - drug effects; Microtubules - metabolism; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - metabolism; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Paclitaxel - pharmacology; Phosphorylation; Taxol; Trans-Activators; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tyrosine - metabolism
• ISSN: 0730-2312; 1097-4644
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4644(20001215)79:4<542::AID-JCB30>3.0.CO;2-Q

Taxol affects microtubule dynamics by promoting microtubule assembly. To obtain a better insight into possible cross‐talk between the microtubule‐ and actin‐based cytoskeletons, we studied the short‐term effects of Taxol treatment on the expression of actin and the E‐cadherin/catenin complex in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line TW‐039 using immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting methods. Morphologic changes in actin filaments, including ventral actin clumps and perijunctional actin blebs, were seen at Taxol concentrations ≥1 μM. Levels of detergent‐soluble E‐cadherin fell to 53% or 58% compared to controls in cells treated, respectively, with 1 or 5 μM Taxol, while levels of detergent‐soluble β‐catenin fell to 76% or 74%. Levels of the detergent‐soluble pool of α‐ and γ‐catenin and the detergent‐insoluble pool of the E‐cadherin/catenin complex were unchanged by Taxol treatment and no significant difference was seen in the levels of adenomatous polyposis coli or glycogen synthase‐3β or tyrosine phosphorylation patterns. These results suggest that modulation of microtubule dynamics by Taxol may have effects on the expression of actin and the cytosolic E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through pathways not involving the phosphorylation of β‐catenin. J. Cell. Biochem. 79:542–556, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.