Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a member of transforming growth factor- superfamily, plays a crucial role in migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Here we found that BMP-2 directed the migration and increased cell surface and mRNA expression of 1 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cancer cells (JJ012). Pretreated of JJ012 cells with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor (PI3K; Ly294002) or Akt inhibitor inhibited the BMP-2-mediated migration and integrin expression. BMP-2 increased the phosphorylation of p85 subunit of PI3K and serine 473 of Akt. In addition, NF-B inhibitor (PDTC) or IB protease inhibitor (TPCK) also inhibited BMP-2-mediated cells migration and integrin upregulation. Stimulation of JJ012 cells with BMP-2 induced IB kinase (IKK/) phosphorylation, IB phosphorylation, p65 Ser536 phosphorylation, and B-luciferase activity. Furthermore, the BMP-2-mediated increasing of IKK/ phosphorylation, IB phosphorylation, and p65 Ser536 phosphorylation were inhibited by Ly294002 and Akt inhibitor. Co-transfection with p85 and Akt mutants also reduced the BMP-2-induced B-luciferase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the BMP-2 acts through PI3K/Akt, which in turn activates IKK/ and NF-B, resulting in the activations of 1 integrin and contributing the migration of human chondrosarcoma cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 846-855, 2008.
