Specific Myosins Control Actin Organization, Cell Morphology, and Migration in Prostate Cancer Cells

• Myo1b, Myo9b, Myo10, and Myo18a are highly expressed in metastatic prostate cancer
• Knockdown of individual myosins distinctly affects the cytoskeleton and cell migration
• Myosins act in concert to directly influence actin organization and cell migration
• Misregulation of myosin expression may drive the metastatic phenotype

SummaryWe investigated the myosin expression profile in prostate cancer cell lines and found that Myo1b, Myo9b, Myo10, and Myo18a were expressed at higher levels in cells with high metastatic potential. Moreover, Myo1b and Myo10 were expressed at higher levels in metastatic tumors. Using an siRNA-based approach, we found that knockdown of each myosin resulted in distinct phenotypes. Myo10 knockdown ablated filopodia and decreased 2D migration speed. Myo18a knockdown increased circumferential non-muscle myosin 2A-associated actin filament arrays in the lamella and reduced directional persistence of 2D migration. Myo9b knockdown increased stress fiber formation, decreased 2D migration speed, and increased directional persistence. Conversely, Myo1b knockdown increased numbers of stress fibers but did not affect 2D migration. In all cases, the cell spread area was increased and 3D migration potential was decreased. Therefore, myosins not only act as molecular motors but also directly influence actin organization and cell morphology, which can contribute to the metastatic phenotype.

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