Oncogene database

65123

INTS3

integrator complex subunit 3;INTS3;integrator complex subunit 3

SOSS complex subunit A|sensor of single-strand DNA complex subunit A|sensor of ssDNA A|sensor of ssDNA subunit A

1q21.3

protein-coding

The protein encoded by the Notch4 gene is a member of the Notch/lin-12 family of transmembrane receptor proteins, which have been shown to control cell fate determination and cell differentiation in a wide variety of organisms. expression of Notch4(int-3), a truncated form of Notch4 having most of its extracellular domain deleted, as a transgene in mice induces the formation of poorly differentiated mammary carcinomas. To establish whether Notch4(int-3) has the capacity of subverting normal epithelial architecture, we assessed the effect of Notch4(int-3) expression on the in vitro morphogenetic properties of TAC-2 mammary epithelial cells. When grown in three-dimensional collagen gels in the presence of hydrocortisone, both wild-type and LacZ-transfected TAC-2 cells formed alveolar-like structures composed of polarized epithelial cells surrounding a central lumen. In contrast, TAC-2 cells programmed to express Notch4(int-3) formed compact cell aggregates devoid of tissue-specific organization. In addition, when grown on the surface of a collagen gel, Notch4(int-3)-expressing TAC-2 cells invaded the underlying matrix, whereas TAC-2 LacZ cells remained strictly confined to the gel surface. expression of Notch4(int-3) in TAC-2 cells also disrupted contact-inhibition of cell proliferation, resulting in cell multilayering. Our results suggest that the ability of Notch4(int-3) to subvert normal epithelial morphogenesis and to promote invasion of the extracellular matrix contributes significantly to its tumorigenic potential.

NIH3T3 cells transformed by mouse Int-2/Fgf-3 cDNA express a series of Int-2-related products representing discrete stages of processing and glycosylation. We confirm that in at least two highly transformed clonal lines, Int-2 products acquire further modifications and are efficiently secreted into the culture medium. Secreted proteins become associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix and can be displaced by addition of soluble glycosaminoglycans, specifically heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate. Increasing concentrations of heparin not only compete for Int-2 binding in a dose-dependent manner but also inhibit the growth of these cells and revert the transformed phenotype. These findings reaffirm the notion that extracellular or surface-bound Int-2 protein is instrumental in the morphological transformation of these cells.