Figure 6

ALK3^QD signalling decreases OVCA429 cell adhesion. (A) ALK3^QD expression increases trypsin-sensitivity of OVCA429 cells. Subconfluent monolayer cultures of 429T-ALK3^QD cells (clones A44 and A54), and 429T control cells, were treated with Dox for 2 d (+Dox), or left untreated (-Dox). At confluence, cells were gently trypsinized for 2 min, and the number of suspended cells was scored. The final proportion of released cells was significantly higher in Dox-treated 429T-A44 and -A54 cells versus 429T control cells. (B,C) ALK3^QD expression decreases the adhesion of OVCA429 cells to the ECM components fibronectin (FN) and vitronectin (VTN). Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of Dox, radiolabelled with ³H-amino acids, trypsinized, counted, and allowed to recover in serum-containing media. Cells were then seeded at 1 × 10⁵ cells per well that were pre-coated with FN and VTN and number of attached cells were quantified. Dox-treated 429T-A44 and -A54 cells had a significantly-reduced ability to attach to both FN and VTN as compared with untreated cells, and the 429T control cells. (*, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001)