AJAP1 expression modulates glioma cell motility and correlates with tumor growth and survival

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Unraveling the molecular and genetic complexity that determines GBM's pronounced migratory property could provide new options for therapeutic targeting that may significantly complement current surgical and chemoradiation therapy and alter the current poor outcome. In this study, we establish stable AJAP1 overexpressing glioma cells in order to examine in vivo tumor growth. We examine AJAP1 localization by confocal microscopy and AJAP1's functional effect on migration and invasion across surfaces coated with laminin. Finally, analysis of AJAP1 expression in murine xenografts and GBM primary tumors revealed its association with tumor growth and survival. Stable overexpression of AJAP1 promotes adherence, decreases invasion of glioma cells through an extracellular-like matrix, and slows migration in the presence of laminin. These observations are reversed by gene knockdown using multiple siRNAs. Additionally, overexpression of AJAP1 decreases colony formation in glioma cells, and leads to smaller tumor growth with increased survival in glioma xenograft mice. Loss of AJAP1 protein expression predicts worse survival in GBM patients. AJAP1 overexpression decreases cell motility in the presence of laminin and decreases tumor growth in xenografts. Its loss of expression predicts worse survival in patients. This study extends our prior observations and implicates AJAP1 as a potential prognostic marker and a viable target for therapeutic intervention in GBM.