Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol.448, No.2, 134-138, 2014
Gleevec/imatinib, an ABL2 kinase inhibitor, protects tumor and endothelial cells from semaphorin-induced cytoskeleton collapse and loss of cell motility
Class 3 semaphorins are axonal guidance mediators and regulators of angiogenesis and tumor progression. Semaphorin 3A and 3F (SEMA3A&F) act by depolymerizing F-actin, resulting in cytoskeleton collapse. A key signaling step is that SEMA3A&F activates ABL2 tyrosine kinase, which activates p190Rho-GAP, which in turn inactivates RhoA, thereby diminishing stress fiber formation and ensuing cell migration. We now demonstrate that Gleevec (imatinib, STI571), an ABL2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, abrogates SEMA3A&F-induced stress fiber loss in glioblastoma cells and endothelial cells and diminishes their ability to inhibit migration. On the other hand, Sutent (sunitinib), a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, did not rescue SEMA3A&F-induced collapsing activity. These results describe a novel property of Gleevec, its ability to antagonize semaphorins. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.