Changes in Shape and Motility of Cells Transfected with Parvalbumin cDNA

Parvalbumin is thought to act as a Ca 2+ buffer in skeletal muscle fibers, but its physiological role in brain, kidney, and testis remains unclear. We have transfected parvalbumin cDNA into a human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line, which normally does not express this protein. The induced expression...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental cell research 1995-08, Vol.219 (2), p.420-426
Main Authors: Andressen, Christian, Gotzos, Vassilis, Berchtold, Martin W., Pauls, Thomas L., Schwaller, Beat, Fellay, Benoit, Celio, Marco R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Line, Transformed
Cell Movement
Cell Size
DNA, Complementary - genetics
Female
Gene Transfer Techniques
Humans
Ovary - cytology
Ovary - metabolism
Parvalbumins - genetics
Parvalbumins - metabolism
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Summary:Parvalbumin is thought to act as a Ca 2+ buffer in skeletal muscle fibers, but its physiological role in brain, kidney, and testis remains unclear. We have transfected parvalbumin cDNA into a human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line, which normally does not express this protein. The induced expression of parvalbumin under the control of three different promoters causes: (1) changes in the morphology of the cells from epitheloid to fusiform, (2) an increase in motility of whole cell clusters, and (3) a decrease in the mitotic rate. Transfection with a mutated cDNA of rat parvalbumin incapable of binding Ca 2+ had no effect on these three parameters. Our results indicate that ectopic expression of parvalbumin influences not only cell division [Rasmussen and Means (1989) Mol. Endocrinol. 3, 588-596], but also cell shape and motility by modulating intracellular Ca 2+ handling. This may be a basic function of parvalbumin when it is intrinsically expressed in differentiated nonmuscle cells.
ISSN:0014-4827
1090-2422
DOI:10.1006/excr.1995.1248