Human single-domain neutralizing intrabodies directed against Etk kinase: a novel approach to impair cellular transformation

Mol Cancer Ther. 2005 Nov;4(11):1801-9. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-05-0174.

Abstract

Etk, the 70-kDa member of the Tec family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases, is expressed in a variety of hematopoietic, epithelial, and endothelial cells and was shown to be involved in several cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and motility. In this study, we describe a novel approach using a human single-domain antibody phage display library for the generation of intrabodies directed against Etk. These single-domain antibodies bind specifically to recombinant Etk and efficiently block its kinase activity. When expressed in transformed cells, these antibodies associated tightly with Etk, leading to significant blockade of Etk enzymatic activity and inhibition of clonogenic cell growth in soft agar. Our results indicate that Etk may play a role in Src-induced cellular transformation and thus may represent a good target for cancer intervention. Furthermore, our single-domain antibody-based intrabody system proves to be an excellent tool for future intracellular targeting of other signaling molecules.

MeSH terms

  • Agar / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Peptide Library
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
  • RNA Interference
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptide Library
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Agar
  • DNA
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • BMX protein, human
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases