Ional domains of the gene. Intriguingly, the deletion del915-917 (Fig. 1B) was located adjacent to two mutations (D915G and G914V) recently identified in patients with colorectal cancer [25,26]. The cluster of mutations in this region between the tyrosine kinase catalytic (Tyrkc) domain and sterile alpha motif (SAM) further suggests functional relevance. This mutation was identified in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma. The mutation was heterozygous and was also detected in corresponding normal lung tissue indicating a germline mutation. The other mutations were solely detected in the tumor and not in matched healthy tissue inficating a somatic mutation. For functional assays, EPHB6-wildtype and several mutants (R52C, Q498H, del915-917 and the P728S mutation previously described in ovarian cancer [LIT]) were stably co-transfected with an EGFP-expressing plasmids into the NSCLC-cell line A549 that expresses very low buy ML-240 levels of EPHB6. EGFP positive clones were picked and expression analysis was performed by western blotting using EPHB6 antibody on single clones and on bulk cultures (Fig. 2A). Despite successful transfection with increased mRNA levels, protein expression of most of the EPHB6 mutants did not increase beyond the levels observed in empty vector transfectedcells (Fig. 1C). Only for the del915-917 mutation, protein expression at levels similar to EPHB6 wildtype was achieved (Fig. 2A). Due to the insufficiency of adequate protein expression of the R52C and G498H mutants and the previously 1662274 described P728S mutant, we functionally focused on the del915-917 mutation in NSCLC in subsequent experiments.Effects of EPHB6 Mutations on Migration and Metastasis of NSCLC CellsAs reported, EPHB6 wildtype inhibited migration of 
stably transfected A549 cells in a transwell chamber (Boyden chamber) assay. In contrast, cells transfected with the del915-917 mutant EPHB6 migrated significantly faster in this assay (Fig. 2B). In addition, we performed scratch assays with repeated video microscopy to follow the scratch closure over time. 23727046 Wildtype EPHB6 inhibited in vitro wound healing compared to the empty vector, whereas the EPHB6 mutant cells closed the gap much faster than the wildtype (three independent experiments, 
p,0.002, ANOVA; p,0.0004, t-test) (Fig. 2C, D). It appeared that the EPHB6 mutant did not just inhibit the EPHB6 wildtype activity, but accelerated the closing of the wound compared to empty vector and wildtype. After eight hours of adherence, the open area of the EPHB6 mutant cells starts to decrease two times (3 ) faster as it could be recognized for the EPHB6 wildtype cells (1.6 ). Even the Hexaconazole site control cells showed less acceleration of wound closure (2 ) at this time point. To analyze the in vivo effects of EPHB6 mutations on the metastatic capacity of NSCLC cells, we performed in vivo metastasis assays. NOD/SCID mice were intravenously injected with EPHB6-wt cells (n = 10), EPHB6-del915-917 cells (n = 10) and empty vector control cells (n = 2). Four weeks after transplantation mice were sacrificed and analyzed. One mouse of each group of mice transplanted with EPHB6-wt and EPHB6-mut expressing cells died within one week after transplantation. Mice injected with EPHB6 wild type overexpressing cells showed lower numbers of lung metastases compared to mice injected with eitherIdentification of EPHB6 Mutationempty vector control cells or EPHB6-mutant cells (Fig. 3): one mouse was found without metastasis, 2 mice with each 1 or 3 metastas.Ional domains of the gene. Intriguingly, the deletion del915-917 (Fig. 1B) was located adjacent to two mutations (D915G and G914V) recently identified in patients with colorectal cancer [25,26]. The cluster of mutations in this region between the tyrosine kinase catalytic (Tyrkc) domain and sterile alpha motif (SAM) further suggests functional relevance. This mutation was identified in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma. The mutation was heterozygous and was also detected in corresponding normal lung tissue indicating a germline mutation. The other mutations were solely detected in the tumor and not in matched healthy tissue inficating a somatic mutation. For functional assays, EPHB6-wildtype and several mutants (R52C, Q498H, del915-917 and the P728S mutation previously described in ovarian cancer [LIT]) were stably co-transfected with an EGFP-expressing plasmids into the NSCLC-cell line A549 that expresses very low levels of EPHB6. EGFP positive clones were picked and expression analysis was performed by western blotting using EPHB6 antibody on single clones and on bulk cultures (Fig. 2A). Despite successful transfection with increased mRNA levels, protein expression of most of the EPHB6 mutants did not increase beyond the levels observed in empty vector transfectedcells (Fig. 1C). Only for the del915-917 mutation, protein expression at levels similar to EPHB6 wildtype was achieved (Fig. 2A). Due to the insufficiency of adequate protein expression of the R52C and G498H mutants and the previously 1662274 described P728S mutant, we functionally focused on the del915-917 mutation in NSCLC in subsequent experiments.Effects of EPHB6 Mutations on Migration and Metastasis of NSCLC CellsAs reported, EPHB6 wildtype inhibited migration of stably transfected A549 cells in a transwell chamber (Boyden chamber) assay. In contrast, cells transfected with the del915-917 mutant EPHB6 migrated significantly faster in this assay (Fig. 2B). In addition, we performed scratch assays with repeated video microscopy to follow the scratch closure over time. 23727046 Wildtype EPHB6 inhibited in vitro wound healing compared to the empty vector, whereas the EPHB6 mutant cells closed the gap much faster than the wildtype (three independent experiments, p,0.002, ANOVA; p,0.0004, t-test) (Fig. 2C, D). It appeared that the EPHB6 mutant did not just inhibit the EPHB6 wildtype activity, but accelerated the closing of the wound compared to empty vector and wildtype. After eight hours of adherence, the open area of the EPHB6 mutant cells starts to decrease two times (3 ) faster as it could be recognized for the EPHB6 wildtype cells (1.6 ). Even the control cells showed less acceleration of wound closure (2 ) at this time point. To analyze the in vivo effects of EPHB6 mutations on the metastatic capacity of NSCLC cells, we performed in vivo metastasis assays. NOD/SCID mice were intravenously injected with EPHB6-wt cells (n = 10), EPHB6-del915-917 cells (n = 10) and empty vector control cells (n = 2). Four weeks after transplantation mice were sacrificed and analyzed. One mouse of each group of mice transplanted with EPHB6-wt and EPHB6-mut expressing cells died within one week after transplantation. Mice injected with EPHB6 wild type overexpressing cells showed lower numbers of lung metastases compared to mice injected with eitherIdentification of EPHB6 Mutationempty vector control cells or EPHB6-mutant cells (Fig. 3): one mouse was found without metastasis, 2 mice with each 1 or 3 metastas.
