Figure 1

Characterization of L1CAM expression in human breast cancer. (A) ONCOMINE gene microarray database was explored for L1CAM gene expression in breast cancer and the results of Boersma et al. [33] were displayed by different stages. COPA analysis yielded a score at 1.95, ranking L1CAM 125^th at 75% outlier among 12,427 measured genes on mRNA level (http://www.oncomine.org/). (B) Quantitative analysis of transmigration assay between MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Each cell suspension (10⁵ cells) was plated into the upper chamber of Transwell inserts precoated with LN on the underside, and allowed to migrate for 12 h at 37°C. Cells that migrated to the backside of the insert were stained with crystal violet and counted from five random views. Data are mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. **, p < 0.01. (C) L1CAM expression level examined by RT-PCR and western blot analysis in MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Beta-actin and β-tubulin were internal controls for each assay respectively. DNA band markers and protein molecular weight markers are shown as indicated. (D) Immunostaining of L1CAM in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells observed by confocal microscopy. Fixed and permeablized staining with polyclonal antibody NCAM-L1 (C-20) (upper panel) or live staining with monoclonal antibody UJ127 for L1CAM (lower panel) are shown in red. Nuclei stained with bisbenzimide are shown as blue.