Figure 7. Vimentin mediates slug and EMT-related protein expression.

A. Protein expression of focal adhesion protein, such as β1-integrin and cell junction protein E-cadherin. B. Quantitative data of β1-integrin and E-cadherin. Levels of protein expression were normalized to GAPDH. Each condition was repeated at least three times. * and ** indicate p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively, compared with PSmVec. The slug expression was examined in C. vimentin knockdown cells and D. vimentin overexpressing cells. The quantitative data of slug was normalized to GAPDH. Each condition was repeated at least three times. * indicates p < 0.05 compared with the control group. E. Systemic figure of tubulin (green), actin (red), and focal adhesion (light orange) orientation in vimentin (dark orange) positive and negative cells. In the vimentin positive cells, microtubules were polarized at the juxtanuclear region, and actin formed stress fiber structures at the cell bottom, accompanied by EMT-related protein expression. With the vimentin depletion, the microtubules were widely dispersed. Actin filaments formed spike-like structures at the cell periphery, accompanied by cell membrane extension. The focal adhesion was also reduced after vimentin knockdown. These changes caused a reduction in the mechanical strength of the cells and the ability for cell directional migration. This figure indicates the role of vimentin in EMT-related mechanoregulation and its contribution to cancer malignancy.