FERM-containing protein FRMD5 is a p120-catenin interacting protein that regulates tumor progression

Abstract

FERM family proteins have been known to play an important role in tumor progression. FERM-domain containing protein 5 (FRMD5), a novel putative cytoskeletal protein, is an unknown function protein. Here, we reported that FRMD5 localized at the cell adherens junction and formed a molecular complex with p120-catenin through its C-terminal region. Functionally, we found that knockdown of endogenous FRMD5 promotes lung cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo, suggesting a tumor suppressive effect. These findings indicated that FRMD5 may play a role in p120-catenin-based cell-cell contact and is involved in the regulation of tumor progression.