The src-family kinase inhibitor PP2 suppresses the in vitro invasive phenotype of bladder carcinoma cells via modulation of Akt

To evaluate PP2 as a modulator of the cadherin/catenin complex in late-stage bladder carcinoma cells, and to assess its potential invasion-suppressor activity in this model. A panel of five human bladder carcinoma cells, characterizing late-stage disease, was used to determine the concentration for 50% inhibition of PP2 in cell-proliferation assays. Modulation of cadherin/catenin expression by PP2 was determined in Western blot analysis, with an assessment of the activation status of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt signalling pathways. Altered invasive capacity linked to these variables was determined in standard in vitro invasion assays. PP2 elicited concentration-dependent growth inhibition in all bladder cell lines within the panel, with growth suppression recorded at 10-35 mu mol/L PP2. Distinct morphological changes were recorded in cell lines exposed to PP2, accompanied by up-regulation of plakoglobin expression in a subset of lines. Exposure of cells to PP2 resulted in inactivation of Akt in all cells and a concomitant reduction in in vitro invasive capacity. These results show that PP2 inhibits bladder carcinoma cell growth and can modulate plakoglobin expression in a subset of cell lines. In addition, PP2 can suppress the in vitro invasive capacity of bladder carcinoma cells by modulating the activation status of Akt.