EGF stimulates lamellipod extension in metastatic mammary adenocarcinoma cells by an actin-dependent mechanism

Changes in lamellipod extension and chemotaxis in response to EGF were analysed for MTLn3 cells (a metastatic cell line derived from the 13762NF rat mammary adenocarcinoma). Addition of EGF produced a cessation of ruffling followed by extension of hyaline lamellipods containing increased amounts of F-actin at the growing edge. A non-metastatic cell line (MTC) derived from the same tumor did not show such responses. Lamellipod extension was maximal within 5 min, followed by retraction and resumption of ruffling. Maximal area increases due to lamellipod extension occurred at about 5 nM EGF. Chemotactic and chemokinetic responses, measured using a microchemotaxis chamber, were also greatest at 5 nM. Cytochalasin D inhibited EGF-stimulated responses including lamellipod extension, increases in F-actin in lamellipods, and chemotaxis. Nocodazole affected chemotaxis at higher concentrations but not EGF-induced lamellipod extension. We conclude that polymerization of F-actin at the leading edges of lamellipods is necessary for extension of lamellipods and chemotaxis of MTLn3 cells in response to EGF. The motility and chemotaxis responses of this metastatic cell line have strong similarities to those seen in well-characterized chemotactic cells such as Dictyostelium and neutrophils.