Activation of an inducible c-FosER fusion protein causes loss of epithelial polarity and triggers epithelial-fibroblastoid cell conversion.

摘要: As a novel approach to studying the modulation of polarized epithelial phenotype, we have expressed c-Fos and c-Myc estrogen receptor fusion proteins (c-FosER c-MycER) in mammary cells. The hybrid could be activated by for defined time periods after cells had achieved their fully organization. Activation c-MycER deregulated proliferation but did not affect polarity. Short-term activation c-FosER induced reversible loss morphological functional cell In contrast, long-term stimulation caused depolarize irreversibly, invade collagen gels, undergo epithelial-fibroblastoid conversion. Our data suggest that Fos are important modulating phenotype both normal tissue development invasive processes.