Suppression of polarity, locomotion and F-actin levels of Walker carcinosarcoma cells by the inhibitor CI-959

Locomotor activity of tumor cells is an important factor for the capacity for invasion and metastasis. Therefore, inhibitors interfering with cellular mechanisms regulating spontaneous cell locomotion are of particular interest for Cancer therapy. CI-959, a new benzothiophene cell activation inhibitor, has the capacity to suppress spontaneous polarity and locomotion of Walker carcinosarcoma cells. Suppression of polarity and locomotion was closely associated with a reduction in the relative amount of F-actin. The mechanisms involved in suppression of motility are Ca2(+)-independent and not related to cell-substratum adhesion. Walker carcinosarcoma cells appear to be able to locomote at very low (nM) levels of free [Ca2+]i.