Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of epithelial cells in both normal embryonic development and certain pathological contexts. Here, we show that TGF-β induced-EMT in human lung cancer cells (A549; adenocarcinoma cells) mediates tumor cell migration and invasion phenotypes. To gain insights into molecular events during EMT, we employed a global stable isotope labeled profiling strategy using iTRAQ reagents, followed by 2DLC−MS/MS, which identified a total of 51 differentially expressed proteins during EMT; 29 proteins were up-regulated and 22 proteins were down-regulated. Down-regulated proteins were predominantly enzymes involved in regulating nutrient or drug metabolism. The majority of the TGF-β-induced proteins (such as tropomyosins, filamin A, B, & C, integrin-β1, heat shock protein27, transglutaminase2, cofilin, 14-3-3 zeta, ezrin-radixin-moesin) are involved in the regulation of cell migration, adhesion and invasion, suggesting the acquisition of a invasive phenotype.

Keywords: iTRAQ • quantitative proteomics • TGF-β • lung cancer • epithelial-mesenchymal transitions • cell-migration • filamin • transglutaminase • HSPB1 • β1-integrin