Increased cell-substrate adhesion accompanies conditional reversion to the normal phenotype in ras-oncogene-transformed NIH-3T3 cells.

We recently reported (1991, Mol. Cell Biol. 11, 3699-3710) that depletion of c-myc protein by myc antisense sequences in ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells reverses several of the malignant characteristics of these cells. These include transformed morphology, growth in soft agar, and ability to form tumors in athymic mice. In the present study we examined the same cells for in vitro adhesive behavior. Cells depleted of c-myc protein by antisense transfection showed no change in attachment to fibronectin-coated dishes as compared to ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells but had greatly increased resistance to trypsin/EDTA-mediated release from the substratum after attachment. In concomitant studies, the cells were examined for fibronectin biosynthesis and cell surface fibronectin. There was no overall change in fibronectin biosynthesis in the c-myc antisense transfected cells as compared to the ras-transformed NIH-3T3. However, immunofluorescence staining revealed increased amount of surface fibronectin associated with the antisense c-myc-expressing transfectants. Taken together, these data indicate that the conditional reacquisition of the nonmalignant phenotype in ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells by selected depletion of c-myc protein is associated with an increase in cell-substrate adhesion. This, in turn, is associated with an increase in surface fibronectin.