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Purpose: Invadopodia (protrusions of the plasma membrane formed by invasive tumor cells) have an essential role in bladder tumor invasion. To understand the process of bladder tumor invasion it is crucial to investigate the molecular mechanisms of invadopodia formation. We found that invasive bladder tumor cells express FBP17. In this study we examined the role of FBP17 in bladder tumor cell invadopodia formation and invasion. Materials and Methods: We used the 3 bladder tumor cell lines YTS-1, T24 and RT4 (ATCC®), and primary culture of bladder tumors from patients. Cells were stained with phalloidin for invadopodia formation. FBP17 knockdown cells were tested for invadopodia formation and subjected to invasion assay using a Transwell® cell culture chamber. We also examined the role of the extended FER-CIP4 homology and Src homology 3 domains of FBP17 in invadopodia formation in FBP17 mutant constructs. Results: Invadopodia formation was observed in invasive bladder tumor cells and FBP17 was localized to invadopodia in invasive cells. FBP17 knockdown decreased invadopodia formation in invasive cells to 13% to 14% (p <0.0005) and decreased their invasive capacity to 14% to 16% (p <0.001). The extended FER-CIP4 homology and Src homology 3 domains of FBP17 were necessary for invadopodia formation and invasion. Conclusions: Invadopodia formation requires membrane deformation activity and recruitment of dynamin-2 mediated by FBP17. FBP17 has a critical role in the process of bladder tumor cell invasion by mediating invadopodia formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (Ena/VASP) proteins are established regulators of actin-based motility, platelet aggregation, and growth cone guidance. However, the molecular mechanisms involved essentially remain elusive. Here we report on a novel mechanism of VASP action, namely the regulation of tensile strength, contractility, and rigidity of the actin cytoskeleton. Compared to wild-type cells fibroblasts derived from VASP-deficient mice have thicker and more stable actin stress fibres. Furthermore focal adhesions are enlarged, myosin light chain phosphorylation is increased, and the rigidity of the filament-supported plasma membrane is elevated about three- to fourfold, as is evident from atomic force microscopy. Moreover, fibronectin-coated beads adhere stronger to the surface of VASP-deficient cells. The resistance of these beads to mechanical displacement by laser tweezers is dramatically increased in an F-actin-dependent mode. Cytoskeletal stabilization coincides with slower cell adhesion and detachment, while overall adhesion is increased. Interestingly, many of these effects observed in VASP (−/−) cells are recapitulated in VASP-overexpressing cells, hinting towards a balanced stoichiometry necessary for appropriate VASP function. Taken together, our results suggest that VASP regulates surface protrusion formation and cell adhesion through modulation of the mechanical properties of the actin cytoskeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]