Silencing of Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipase C ε Remodulates the Expression of the Phosphoinositide Signal Transduction Pathway in Human Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

BACKGROUND: Ezrin, a member of the ezrin-radixin-moesin family, is involved in the metastatic spread of osteosarcoma. Ezrin binds phosphatydil inositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), a crucial molecule of the phosphoinositide signal transduction pathway. PIP2 levels are regulated by phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes. PI-PLCe isoform, a well-characterized direct effector of rat sarcoma (RAS), is at a unique convergence point for the broad range of signaling pathways that promote RAS GTPase-mediated signalling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using molecular biology methods and microscopic analyses, we analyzed the expression of ezrin and PLC genes after silencing of PLCE (OMIM *608414) in 143B and Hs888 cell lines. RESULTS: The growth rate of the cells was slowed, and the expression of ezrin, PLCB1, PLCG2 and PLCD4 was significantly modified. Ezrin displacement from the plasma membrane was observed. CONCLUSION: The present results corroborate the hypothesis that ezrin and the PI signal transduction system are involved in a common network.