BACKGROUND: The Tensin family of intracellular proteins ( @entity70245 ) are thought to act as links between the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton, and thereby mediate signaling for cell shape and motility. Dysregulation of Tensin expression has previously been implicated in @entity1 @entity5 . Here, we have for the first time evaluated the significance of all four Tensins in a study of @entity1 @entity1358 ( @entity1358 ), as well as probed the biological function of @entity47621 . PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Expression of @entity70246 and @entity47621 at mRNA and protein levels was largely absent in a panel of diverse @entity1 @entity5 cell lines. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed mRNA expression of all four Tensin genes to be significantly downregulated in @entity1 @entity703 (50-100% reduction versus normal kidney cortex; P<0.001). Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of Tensins mostly correlated positively with each other and negatively with @entity5 grade, but not @entity5 size. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed @entity47621 to be present in the cytoplasm of tubular epithelium in normal @entity1 kidney sections, whilst expression was weaker or absent in 41% of @entity703 . A subset of @entity5 sections showed a preferential plasma membrane expression of @entity47621 , which in clear cell @entity1358 @entity1 was correlated with longer survival. Stable expression of @entity47621 in HEK 293 cells markedly inhibited both cell migration and matrix invasion, a function independent of putative phosphatase activity in @entity47621 . Conversely, siRNA knockdown of endogenous @entity47621 in @entity1 @entity5 cells significantly increased their migration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the Tensins may represent a novel group of @entity3 suppressors in the kidney, the loss of which leads to greater @entity5 cell motility and consequent @entity3 . Moreover, tumorigenesis in the @entity1 kidney may be facilitated by a general downregulation of Tensins. Therefore, anti-metastatic therapies may benefit from restoring or preserving Tensin expression in @entity5 .

@entity47621 is a negative regulator of cell migration and all four Tensin family members are downregulated in XXXX @entity703 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients'] @entity70246 :: ('23371', 'Gene') :: ['Tensin2'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'primary tumors', 'cancer'] @entity70245 :: ('7145', 'Gene') :: ['Tensin1, -2, -3 and -4'] @entity1358 :: ('MESH:D002292', 'Disease') :: ['renal cell carcinoma', 'RCC'] @entity47621 :: ('64759', 'Gene') :: ['Tensin3'] @entity3 :: ('MESH:D009362', 'Disease') :: ['metastasis'] @entity703 :: ('MESH:D007680', 'Disease') :: ['kidney tumors']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
