Actin cytoskeleton and beta-actin expression in correlation with higher invasiveness of selected hepatoma Morris 5123 cells.

Our studies were focused on the isolation and characterization of highly motile fraction of cells from hepatoma Morris 5123 population. Cells that underwent several migration cycles through Matrigel - coated filters were successfully cultured. The invasion index was determined by means of Matrigel invasion assay. Statically significant increase in the value of invasion factor for selected cells variant in comparison to the parental population was observed. The considerable changes in the cell shape were followed by the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton structure including a dense subcortical congestion in the distribution of beta -actin isoform. The visualization of this protein in tumor cells was performed by immunostaining and scanning fluorescent confocal microscopy. The results were confirmed by densitometry analysis of Western blots. In addition, the increased state of actin polymerization in the cytoplasmic fraction of selected cells was determined as measured by filamentous to monomeric (F:G) actin ratio. Concluding, the selected fraction of hepatoma Morris 5123 cells with higher invasion capacity was characterized by rounded shape, remarkable increase of beta -actin level, its submembrane concentration as well as with the increased state of actin polymerization with respect to parental cells population.