Palmitoylation of Tetraspanin CD82 Is Required for Its Biological
Activities of Anti-apoptosis in Breast Cancer
Abstract
Background: CD82/KAI-1 which is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily,
has been proposed to exert its activity via the Tetraspanin Web.
However, the mechanism of CD82 palmitoylation in this web has not been
fully elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate cell
migration and apoptosis by mutation of tetraspanin CD82 palmitoylation.
Methods: This study elucidated the impact of various palmitoylation site
mutations on apoptosis in breast cancer cells through a comprehensive
approach involving RT-PCR, Western blotting, TUNEL assay,
immunofluorescence, and tumor formation assay in athymic nude mice
model. Results: We found that the mutation of CD82 palmitoylation at
cys74 and cys83 or cys5 and cys74 and cys83 simultaneously increased
apoptosis in breast cancer. However, the other forms of mutation of CD82
palmitoylation showed no effects on apoptosis. Conclusion: The study
strongly implicate that CD82 palmitoylation at cys74 and cys83 are both
closely related to maintain biological function.