Human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa line) constitutively express c-erbB2 coded oncoprotein p185erbB2 (p185) which is believed to be an orphan receptor for an unknown growth factor. Since we have shown that expression of p185 in primary lesions of endometrial cancer correlates well with high frequency of lymph node++ metastases and that the metastatic cells in the nodes strongly expressed p185, the role of the oncoprotein in processes of metastases was studied. Culturing the cells in the presence of 15% FCS and with monoclonal antibody to the extracellular domain of p185 (CB-1) inhibited cell growth and attenuated p185 expression on Western blotting, whereas no change occurred with the control antibody. Cells cultured without FCS achieved only approximately 1/3 growth compared to cells with FCS, and further suppression of growth was observed after adding CB-1. When cells were cultured on human term amnion, basement membrane invasion with p185 expression was observed. In nude mice, intraperitoneal seeding resulted in implant formation which was also associated with positive p185 as well as cyclin immunohistochemistry. In the two experiments, treatment of cells with CB-1 inhibited invasion or implant formation. The present study suggests that a signal through p185 receptor molecules acts as a trigger for early proliferation, and interaction with the host may enhance up-regulation of p185.