The metastasis-associated molecule C4.4A promotes tissue invasion and anchorage independence by associating with the alpha6beta4 integrin

Thus, metastasis-promoting activities of C4.4A are not genuine characteristics of C4.4A. Instead, the raft-located laminin receptor C4.4A recruits alpha6beta4 integrin and supports via the alpha6beta4 integrin MMP14 activation. Thereby C4.4A acts as a linker to facilitate several steps in the metastatic cascade. Taking the restricted C4.4A expression in non-transformed tissue, this knowledge should pave the way toward the use of C4.4A as a therapeutic target.