Downregulation of Rap1Gap: A Switch from DCIS to Invasive Breast Carcinoma via ERK/MAPK Activation

Down-regulation of Rap1Gap: A switch from DCIS to IDC via ERK/MAPK activation. The confocal immunofluorescence images (collapsed z-stacks; 40x magnification) are of in vitro 3D culture models of MCF10.DCIS. Green and blue represent F-actin cytoskeleton and nuclei, respectively. When Rap1Gap is reduced by shRNA, ERK is activated and there is acquisition of an invasive phenotype. Conversely, when Rap1Gap is re-expressed in the DCIS Rap1Gap shRNA cells, there is reversion to a pre-invasive phenotype. The in vitro 3D culture model recapitulates findings from DCIS and IDC patient samples.270