Inhibition of migration and invasion of carcinoma cells by urokinase-derived antagonists of avb5 integrin activation

We previously showed that, while binding to urokinase receptor (uPAR) through its growth factor domain (GFD, residues 1–49), urokinase (uPA) can engage avb5 integrin through an internal domain (CP, residues 132–158). This novel uPA/avb5 interaction promotes cytoskeletal rearrangements and directional cell migra- tion (Franco et al., J Cell Sci 2006;119:3424–34). We now show that treatment of cells with phosphomimic uPA (uPA138E/303E, serine 138 and 303 substituted with glutamic acid) strongly inhibits ma- trix-induced cell migration. Unlike uPA, binding of uPA138E/303E to cell surface did not induce F-actin enriched protruding structures and caused a 5-fold reduction in cell translocation speed, as deter- mined by video tracking of living cells. Inhibition of migration was found to be independent of uPAR, since uPA variants lacking the GFD domain, but carrying the relevant Ser to Glu substitutions were as effective inhibitor as uPA138E/303E. Through several inde- pendent approaches, we established that the phosphomimics specif- ically bind to avb5 integrin through the CP region carrying the S138E mutation. This interaction blocks integrin activation, as determined by a decreased affinity of avb5 to vitronectin and a reduced association of the b5 cytoplasmic tail with talin. Finally, stable expression of uPA138E/303E in human squamous carcinoma cells prevented tumor cell invasion in vivo. Thus, when expressed in cancer cells, the inhibitory phosphomimic effect was dominant over the effect of endogenously produced uPA. These results shed light on the regulation of cell migration by uPA phosphorylation and provide a realistic opportunity for a novel antiinvasive/meta- static therapeutic intervention.