The mechanical properties of cells govern cell proliferation and motility; cellular functions that, when deregulated can cause tumour diseases. However, the role of cellular mechanical properties during cancer progression needs further elucidation. Our analysis indicate that the SV40T oncogene induces a reorganization of the vimentin intermediate filament network. To determine whether the observed oncogene-induced vimentin reorganization can control the stiffness of cells, colloidal probe AFM was used to measure the stiffness of normal cells with and without expression of SV40T. The data indicate that the SV40T expressing cells are stiffer than normal cells and that the specific inhibition of HDAC6 by tubacin revert this SV40T-induced stiffness back to normal. These findings are consistent with the possibility that oncogenes can increase the capacity of cells to resist mechanical deformation by a mechanism that depends upon HDAC6.

Oncogene induced stiffening of living cells

249th National Meeting (2015)

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