praja2 regulates KSR1 stability and mitogenic signaling.

The kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) has a fundamental role in mitogenic signaling by scaffolding components of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway. In response to Ras activation, KSR1 assembles a tripartite kinase complex that optimally transfers signals generated at the cell membrane to activate ERK. We describe a novel mechanism of ERK attenuation based on ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of KSR1. Stimulation of membrane receptors by hormones or growth factors induced KSR1 polyubiquitination, which paralleled a decline of ERK1/2 signaling. We identified praja2 as the E3 ligase that ubiquitylates KSR1. We showed that praja2-dependent regulation of KSR1 is involved in the growth of cancer cells and in the maintenance of undifferentiated pluripotent state in mouse embryonic stem cells. The dynamic interplay between the ubiquitin system and the kinase scaffold of the Ras pathway shapes the activation profile of the mitogenic cascade. By controlling KSR1 levels, praja2 directly affects compartmentalized ERK activities, impacting on physiological events required for cell proliferation and maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotency.

Wnt4 inhibits cell motility induced by oncogenic Ras.

Aberrant motility and invasive ability are relevant hallmarks of malignant tumor cells. Pathways regulating the movement of cancer cells from the site of primary tumor toward adjacent and/or distant tissues are not entirely defined. By using a model of malignant transformation induced by Ras, we identified Wnt4 as an early target of Ras oncogenic signaling. Here we show that Wnt4 is repressed by Ras and that forced Wnt4 expression inhibits Ras-induced cell motility. Accordingly, we found that Wnt4 is downregulated in human anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, the most malignant and metastatic thyroid cancer histotype. Wnt4 interferes with Ras-induced actin cytoskeleton reorganization through non-canonical pathways, by altering the balance between the activation of different Rho-family small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). Finally, we demonstrate that Wnt4 is post-transcriptionally repressed by miR-24, a Ras-induced micro RNA (miRNA) targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of Wnt4. Taken together our data highlight a novel Ras-regulated miRNA-dependent circuitry regulating the motile phenotype of cancer cells.

Increased hexosamine biosynthetic pathway flux dedifferentiates INS-1E cells and murine islets by an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2-mediated signal transmission pathway.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Beta cell failure is caused by loss of cell mass, mostly by apoptosis, but also by simple dysfunction (decline of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, downregulation of specific gene expression). Apoptosis and dysfunction are caused, at least in part, by lipoglucotoxicity. The mechanisms implicated are oxidative stress, increase in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) flux and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Oxidative stress plays a role in glucotoxicity-induced beta cell dedifferentiation, while glucotoxicity-induced ER stress has been mostly linked to beta cell apoptosis. We sought to clarify whether ER stress caused by increased HBP flux participates in a dedifferentiating response of beta cells, in the absence of relevant apoptosis. METHODS: We used INS-1E cells and murine islets. We analysed the unfolded protein response and the expression profile of beta cells by real-time RT-PCR and western blot. The signal transmission pathway elicited by ER stress was investigated by real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Glucosamine and high glucose induced ER stress, but did not decrease cell viability in INS-1E cells. ER stress caused dedifferentiation of beta cells, as shown by downregulation of beta cell markers and of the transcription factor, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was inhibited. These effects were prevented by the chemical chaperone, 4-phenyl butyric acid. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal transmission pathway was implicated, since its inhibition prevented the effects induced by glucosamine and high glucose. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Glucotoxic ER stress dedifferentiates beta cells, in the absence of apoptosis, through a transcriptional response. These effects are mediated by the activation of ERK1/2.

Cell fate following ER stress: just a matter of "quo ante" recovery or death?

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a complex and multifunctional organelle. It is the intracellular compartment of protein folding, a complex task, both facilitated and monitored by ER folding enzymes and molecular chaperones. The ER is also a stress-sensing organelle. It senses stress caused by disequilibrium between ER load and folding capacity and responds by activating signal transduction pathways, known as unfolded protein response (UPR). Three major classes of transducer are known, inositol-requiring protein-1 (IRE1), activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), and protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), which sense with their endoluminal domain the state of protein folding, although the exact mechanism(s) involved is not entirely clear. Depending on whether the homeostatic response of the UPR is successful in restoring an equilibrium between ER load and protein folding or not, the two possible outcomes of the UPR so far considered have been life or death. Indeed, recent efforts have been devoted to understand the life/death switch mechanisms. However, recent data suggest that what appears to be a pure binary decision may in fact be more complex, and survival may be achieved at the expenses of luxury cell functions, such as expression of differentiation genes.

TRAP1 and the proteasome regulatory particle TBP7/Rpt3 interact in the endoplasmic reticulum and control cellular ubiquitination of specific mitochondrial proteins.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein-1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial (MITO) antiapoptotic heat-shock protein. The information available on the TRAP1 pathway describes just a few well-characterized functions of this protein in mitochondria. However, our group's use of mass-spectrometric analysis identified TBP7, an AAA-ATPase of the 19S proteasomal subunit, as a putative TRAP1-interacting protein. Surprisingly, TRAP1 and TBP7 colocalize in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as demonstrated by biochemical and confocal/electron microscopic analyses, and interact directly, as confirmed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. This is the first demonstration of TRAP1's presence in this cellular compartment. TRAP1 silencing by short-hairpin RNAs, in cells exposed to thapsigargin-induced ER stress, correlates with upregulation of BiP/Grp78, thus suggesting a role of TRAP1 in the refolding of damaged proteins and in ER stress protection. Consistently, TRAP1 and/or TBP7 interference enhanced stress-induced cell death and increased intracellular protein ubiquitination. These experiments led us to hypothesize an involvement of TRAP1 in protein quality control for mistargeted/misfolded mitochondria-destined proteins, through interaction with the regulatory proteasome protein TBP7. Remarkably, expression of specific MITO proteins decreased upon TRAP1 interference as a consequence of increased ubiquitination. The proposed TRAP1 network has an impact in vivo, as it is conserved in human colorectal cancers, is controlled by ER-localized TRAP1 interacting with TBP7 and provides a novel model of the ER-mitochondria crosstalk.

A new mathematical model to evaluate simazine removal in three different immobilized-biomass reactors.

A new mathematical model based on the cinetical Langmuir equation is developed to interpret and predict the effectiveness of simazine (SZ) removal in immobilized-biomass reactor (IBR), to consider herbicide-support affinity (Cx), and herbicide-cell affinity (Cy). Three solid supports: sepiolite monolith, granular sepiolite, and alginate were used in pilot-scale reactors that were inoculated with Klebsiella planticola DSZ. The abiotic process was analysed by measuring the SZ sorption capacity of the reactor supports. Sepiolite monolith showed the maximum value for herbicide-support affinity (28.02+/-0.9%). The effectiveness of the biotic process was estimated considering the formation of biomass and SZ biodegradation. Granular sepiolite showed either higher affinity with SZ and viability rate (0.90) throughout the process, and SZ removal rate was 3.39+/-0.06 mg/h. The mathematical model presented in this paper provides useful insights into the interpretation of experimental data as well as prediction for the implementation of biological reactors.

Differential p63 and p53 expression in human keloid fibroblasts and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

The p63 gene belongs to the p53 gene family and encodes for sequence-specific transcription factors. p63 has been characterized primarily in the context of epidermis where is implicated in the establishment of keratinocyte cell fate and in maintenance of epithelial self-renewal. DeltaNp63 isoform has been showed to be involved in several kinds of human tumors of epidermal origin, even nonmalignant, for the neoplastic and proliferative potential. Here, we report the differential expression and the cellular localization of the DeltaNp63 isoform in fibroblasts isolated from human keloids and hypertrophic scars compared to normal skin. Differently from hypertrophic scar, our results show that DeltaNp63 has a nuclear localization and is overexpressed only in keloid fibroblasts, suggesting an essential role of DeltaNp63 in vivo in human keloids. Consistent with our results, we hypothesize that DeltaNp63 overexpression may be oncogenic because of its ability to block the activity of p53 since p53 is underexpressed in fibroblasts from keloids.

Improving dioxygenase stability by gene chromosome insertion: implementation in immobilized-cell systems.

The immobilization of recombinant cells by using the unstable 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase was studied as a model. Dioxygenase activity and cell viability were compared in immobilized-cell systems and cells in suspension. Immobilization increased enzyme stability and the efficient degradation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate. The stability of the cloned enzyme and the viability of the immobilized recombinant cells were well maintained for at least 15 days. We used the strain Escherichia coli CC118-D in which the hpaB gene from Klebsiella pneumoniae, coding for the subunit of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase, was inserted into the chromosome. This study has demonstrated that the implementation of E. coli CC118-D in a pilot-scale bioreactor resulted in a 100% stabilization of dioxygenase activity, and could be a useful tool for bioremediation processes.

Recombinant IFN-alpha2b treatment activates poly (ADPR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in KB cancer cells.

In the present paper, we investigated the relationship between the growth inhibitory effects of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (rIFN-alpha2b) and poly (ADPR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity in the human squamous KB cancer cell line. Growth inhibition of the KB cells mediated by 1000 IU/ml of rIFN-alpha2b was accompanied by a transient rise in PARP-1 specific activity 24 h after rIFN-alpha2b treatment, confirmed by both the increase of intracellular poly (ADP-ribose) content and the PARP-1 auto-modification level. At longer times of incubation, the onset of apoptosis accompanied KB cell growth inhibition, as demonstrated by both flow cytometry and western-blotting analysis showing an 89 kDa apoptotic fragment of PARP-1. Moreover, pretreatment of the cells with the PARP-1 inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA), at non-cytotoxic concentrations (1 mM), reduced the cell-growth inhibition, cell-cycle perturbation and apoptosis caused by rIFN-alpha2b. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PARP-1 may be directly involved in the effects of rIFN-alpha2b in the KB cancer cell line.

Immobilized native bacteria as a tool for bioremediation of soils and waters: implementation and modeling.

Based on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (3,4-DHPA) dioxygenase amino acid sequence and DNA sequence data for homologous genes, two different oligonucleotides were designed. These were assayed to detect 3,4-DHPA related aromatic compound-degrading bacteria in soil samples by using the FISH method. Also, amplification by PCR using a set of ERIC primers was assayed for the detection of Pseudomonas GCH1 strain, which used in the soil bioremediation process. A model was developed to understand and predict the behavior of bacteria and pollutants in a bioremediation system, taking into account fluid dynamics, molecular/cellular scale processes, and biofilm formation.

Analysis of cadherin/catenin complexes in transformed thyroid epithelial cells: modulation by beta 1 integrin subunit.

We have analysed the expression of cadherin/catenin complex molecules in PC C13 rat thyroid cells transformed in vitro with different oncogenes. No significant downregulation of either E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin was detected following the introduction of activated forms of myc, adenovirus E1A, ras, raf, myc + ras, E1A + raf. However, ras- and raf-transformed PC C13 cells showed altered adherens junctions. An altered distribution of cadherin/catenin complexes characterized by radially oriented membrane spikes perpendicular to cell edges was the most prominent feature evidenced by immunofluorescence. No beta1 integrin localization was observed in areas where this altered pattern of E-cadherin expression was detected. However, beta1 integrin subunit expression was detected at areas of cell-cell contact where E-cadherin showed a normal pattern of expression. Furthermore, ras- and raf-transformed PC C13 cells showed the ability to migrate in collagen gels, in contrast to their normal untransformed counterpart. Overexpression of beta1 integrin was found to restore normal E-cadherin localization at cell-cell contacts and to partially inhibit the ability to migrate in collagen gels. Finally, two cell lines obtained by ras transformation in vivo, and derived from a rat primary thyroid carcinoma (TK6) and its lung metastasis (MPTK6), were found to have lost gamma-catenin expression. TK6 lost also E-cadherin expression and membrane localization of alpha-catenin. These results suggest that: i) in vitro thyroid cell transformation is associated to a change in cadherin/catenin complexes distribution rather than to a decrease in expression; ii) in vivo transformation is associated to the loss of expression of some of these molecules likely due to tumor progression; iii) alterations in beta1 integrin subunit expression can result in changes in cadherin/catenin function thus implying that an integrin-cadherin synergy may exist in thyroid cells.

Echistatin inhibits pp125FAK autophosphorylation, paxillin phosphorylation and pp125FAK-paxillin interaction in fibronectin-adherent melanoma cells.

Echistatin, a snake-venom RGD-containing protein, was previously shown to disrupt cell-matrix adhesion by a mechanism that involves the reduction of pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation levels. The aim of this study was to establish the sequence of events downstream pp125FAK dephosphorylation that could be responsible for echistatin-induced disassembly of actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions in fibronectin-adherent B16-BL6 melanoma cells. The results obtained show that echistatin induces a decrease of both autophosphorylation and kinase activity of pp125FAK. One hour of cell exposure to echistatin caused a 39% decrease of pp125FAK Tyr397 phosphorylation and a 31% reduction of pp125FAK autophosphorylation activity as measured by immune-complex kinase assay. Furthermore, 1 h of cell treatment by echistatin produced a 63% decrease of paxillin phosphorylation, as well as a reduction in the amount of paxillin bound to pp125FAK. Immunofluorescence analysis of echistatin treated cells showed the concomitant disappearance of both paxillin and pp125FAK from focal adhesions. The reduction of paxillin phosphorylation may represent a critical step in the pathway by which disintegrins exert their biological activity, including the inhibition of experimental metastasis in vivo.

Propachlor removal by Pseudomonas strain GCH1 in an immobilized-cell system.

A bacterial strain capable of growing on propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide) was isolated from soil by using enrichment and isolation techniques. The strain isolated, designated GCH1, was classified as a member of the genus Pseudomonas. Washed-cell suspensions of strain GCH1 accumulated N-isopropylacetanilide, acetanilide, acetamide, and catechol. Pseudomonas strain GCH1 grew on propachlor with a generation time of 4.2 h and a rate of substrate utilization of 1.75 +/- 0.15 micromol h(-1). Gene expression did not require induction but was subject to catabolite expression. Acetanilide was a growth substrate with a yield of 0.56 +/- 0.02 mg of protein micromol(-1). GCH1 strain cells were immobilized by adsorption onto a ceramic support and were used as biocatalysts in an immobilized cell system. Propachlor elimination reached 98%, with a retention time of 3 h and an initial organic load of 0.5 mM propachlor. The viability of immobilized cells increased 34-fold after 120 days of bioreactor operation.

The localization and activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase affect cell cycle progression in thyroid cells.

cAMP signals are received and transmitted by multiple isoforms of cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKAs), typically determined by their specific regulatory subunits. We describe changes in the cAMP signal transduction pathway during cell cycle progression in synchronized rat thyroid cells. Both PKA type II (PKAII) localization and nuclear cAMP signaling are significantly modified during G(0) and G(1)-S transitions. G(1) is characterized by PKA activation and amplified cAMP signal transduction. This is associated with a decrease in the concentration of RI and RII regulatory subunits and enhanced anchoring of PKAII to the Golgi-centrosome region. Just prior to S, the cAMP pathway is depressed. Up-regulation of the pathway by exogenous cAMP in G(1) inhibited the subsequent decay of the Cdk inhibitor p27 and delayed the onset of S phase. Forced translocation of endogenous PKAII to the cytosol down-regulated cAMP signaling, advancing the timing of p27 decay and inducing premature exit from G(1). These data indicate that membrane-bound PKA amplifies the transduction of cAMP signals in G(1) and that the length of G(1) is influenced by cAMP-PKA.

Amifostine inhibits hematopoietic progenitor cell apoptosis by activating NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors.

We investigated the involvement of NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors that reportedly can inhibit apoptosis in various cell types in the antiapoptotic mechanism of the cytoprotectant amifostine. In the nontumorigenic murine myeloid progenitor 32D cells incubated with amifostine, we detected a reduction of the IkappaBalpha cytoplasmic levels by Western blotting and a raising of nuclear NF-kappaB/Rel complexes by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Amifostine inhibited by more than 30% the growth factor deprivation-induced apoptosis, whereas its effect failed when we blocked the NF-kappaB/Rel activity with an NF-kappaB/Rel-binding phosphorothioate decoy oligodeoxynucleotide. In human cord blood CD34(+) cells, the NF-kappaB/Rel p65 subunit was detectable (using immunofluorescence analysis) mainly in the cytoplasm in the absence of amifostine, whereas its presence was appreciable in the nuclei of cells incubated with the cytoprotectant. In 4 CD34(+) samples incubated for 3 days in cytokine-deficient conditions, cell apoptosis was reduced by more than 30% in the presence of amifostine (or amifostine plus a control oligo); the effect of amifostine was abolished in cultures with the decoy oligo. These findings indicate that the inhibition of hematopoietic progenitor cell apoptosis by amifostine requires the induction of NF-kappaB/Rel factors and that the latter can therefore exert an antiapoptotic activity in the hematopoietic progenitor cell compartment. Furthermore, the identification of this specific mechanism underlying the survival-promoting activity of amifostine lends support to the possible use of this agent in apoptosis-related pathologies, such as myelodysplasias.

RhoA activity is required for fibronectin assembly and counteracts beta1B integrin inhibitory effect in FRT epithelial cells.

FRT thyroid epithelial cells synthesize fibronectin and organize a network of fibronectin fibrils at the basal surface of the cells. Fibronectin fibril formation is enhanced by the overexpression of the ubiquitous beta1A integrin and is inhibited by the expression of the dominant-negative beta1B subunit. We tested the hypotheses that RhoA activity might mediate the integrin-dependent fibronectin fibrillogenesis and might counteract beta1B integrin inhibitory effect. FRT-beta1A cells were transfected with a vector carrying a dominant negative form of RhoA (RhoAN19) or treated with the C3 transferase exoenzyme. Both treatments inhibited fibronectin assembly and caused loss of actin microfilaments and adhesion plaques. On the other hand, FRT-beta1B cells were transfected with the constitutively activated form of RhoA (RhoAV14) or treated with the E. coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1, which directly activates RhoA. Either treatment restored microfilament and adhesion plaque assembly and promoted fibronectin fibril organization. A great increase in fibronectin fibril assembly was also obtained by treatment of FRT-beta1B cells with TGF-beta. Our data indicate that RhoA is required to promote fibronectin matrix assembly in FRT cells and that the activation of the signal transduction pathway downstream of RhoA can overcome the inhibitory effect of beta1B integrin.

The type and the localization of cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulate transmission of cAMP signals to the nucleus in cortical and cerebellar granule cells.

cAMP signals are received and transmitted by multiple isoforms of cAMP-dependent protein kinases, typically determined by their specific regulatory subunits. In the brain the major regulatory isoform RIIbeta and the RII-anchor protein, AKAP150 (rat) or 75 (bovine), are differentially expressed. Cortical neurons express RIIbeta and AKAP75; conversely, granule cerebellar cells express predominantly RIalpha and RIIalpha. Cortical neurons accumulate PKA catalytic subunit and phosphorylated cAMP responsive element binding protein very efficiently into nuclei upon cAMP induction, whereas granule cerebellar cells fail to do so. Down-regulation of RIIbeta synthesis by antisense oligonucleotides inhibited cAMP-induced nuclear signaling in cortical neurons. Expression in cerebellar granule cells of RIIbeta and AKAP75 genes by microinjection of specific expression vectors, markedly stimulated cAMP-induced transcription of the lacZ gene driven by a cAMP-responsive element promoter. These data indicate that the composition of PKA in cortical and granule cells underlies the differential ability of these cells to transmit cAMP signals to the nucleus.

Yotiao protein, a ligand for the NMDA receptor, binds and targets cAMP-dependent protein kinase II(1).

A yeast two-hybrid screen revealed that regulatory subunits (RII) of PKAII bind the Yotiao protein. Yotiao interacts with the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor. A purified C-terminal fragment of Yotiao binds PKAII, via an RII binding site constituted by amino acid residues 1452-1469, with a dissociation constant (K(d)) between 50 and 90 nM in vitro. A stable complex composed of Yotiao, RII and NR1 was immunoprecipitated from whole rat brain extracts. Immunostaining analysis disclosed that Yotiao, RIIbeta and NR1 colocalize in striatal and cerebellar neurons. Co-assembly of Yotiao/PKAII complexes with NR1 subunits may promote cAMP-dependent modulation of NMDA receptor activity at synapses, thereby influencing brain development and synaptic plasticity.

Regulation of cell survival in CD95-induced T cell apoptosis: role of NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factors.

The activity of NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factors can inhibit the apoptosis induced by TNF, UV or cancer therapy drugs in a number of cell types, including human T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the NF-kappa B/Rel inducer, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), has been reported to suppress the CD95-induced apoptosis of human T lymphocytes. To verify whether the survival-enhancing effect of PMA required NF-kappa B/Rel activity, we generated two Jurkat cell sublines (AL.7 and AL.8) transfected with a pCMV4-I kappa B alpha construct, and two (AL.3 and AL.5) with the void pCMV4 vector. Compared to wild type, AL.3 and AL.5 cells, the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines displayed markedly lower amounts of NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear complexes and a reduced expression of a kappa B-controlled CAT reporter gene after 1 and 4 h of incubation with PMA, respectively. All the five cell types displayed negligible levels of apoptosis when cultured with medium or PMA alone; when stimulated with the mAb CH-11, the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines displayed apoptotic responses only slightly (<0.5 fold) higher than control cells. On the other hand, the salvage activity of PMA was partially impaired in the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines. PMA inhibited apoptosis by >85% in wild type, AL.3 and AL.5 cells and by <60% in the AL.7 and AL.8 sublines; the apoptosis percentages in the mAb CH-11 + PMA cultures of the I kappa B alpha-transfected cells were >4-fold higher than in control cells. We conclude that the inhibition of the CD95-induced apoptosis by PMA relies on both NF-kappa B/Rel-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The partial contribution of these nuclear factors to the suppression of apoptosis indicates that the NF-kappa B/Rel activity can influence the extent of the CD95-induced T cell death.

Beta1B integrin interferes with matrix assembly but not with confluent monolayer polarity, and alters some morphogenetic properties of FRT epithelial cells.

Beta1B is a beta1 integrin splice variant that differs from the ubiquitous beta1A in the terminal portion of the cytosolic tail. The expression of this variant in CHO cells results in reduced fibroblast adhesion and motility (Balzac, E et al., J. Cell Biol. 127, 557-565 (1994)). We have evaluated the phenotypic changes induced by the expression of beta1B in the FRT epithelial cell line. Stable transfectants of FRT cells expressing beta1B or beta1A human integrins were obtained. The transfected integrins associated with the endogenous alpha subunits and were delivered to the plasma membrane. Beta1B expressing cells attached less efficiently and spread less on fibronectin, laminin or type IV collagen coated dishes. A great reduction of fibronectin fibrils associated to the basal membrane of non-confluent beta1B transfected cells was observed. This was paralleled by the disappearance of microfilament bundles and loss of basally located focal adhesions. On the contrary, upon beta1A transfection, a higher amount of fibronectin fibrils, together with microfilament bundles and focal adhesions, was observed. Expression of beta1B did not significantly modify the ability to manifest the polarized phenotype when cells were grown to confluence on filters in two-chamber-systems. Beta1B-transfected cells showed reduced motile properties when embedded as aggregates in type I collagen gels. Moreover, formation of polarized cysts in suspension culture was impaired. The results show that beta1B, by interfering with focal adhesion organization, microfilament and fibronectin assembly, cell spreading and migration, affects some morphogenetic properties of FRT epithelial cells.