MRK and RhoC positively control cell invasion, whereas RhoA negatively regulates it.
A, ES-2 ovarian cancer cells were transfected with luciferase (Luc) or MRK siRNAs and then tested for migration in the wound healing assay for 6 and 12 h. B, ES-2 cells, transfected with the indicated siRNAs, were tested for LPA-stimulated cell invasion through Matrigel chambers as described under “Experimental Procedures.” Blots show depletion of the respective proteins by RNA interference. C, enhancement of LPA-stimulated cell invasion by active MRK induced by forced homodimerization. Detection by immunoblotting of MRK activated by the homodimerizing drug AP20187 in the EMDI cells and cell invasion through matrigel in response to LPA (1 μm) and AP20187 (2 μm). Histograms are means + S.E. from 3–6 independent experiments. *, p < 0.005; **, p < 0.001.