The p38 MAPK/snail signaling axis participates in cadmium-induced lung cancer cell migration and invasiveness.

To determine that p38 MAPK activation contributes to the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells caused by cadmium (Cd). A549 lung cancer cell migration and invasion were assessed using a transwell plate system, and the role of p38 was determined by knocking down p38 activity with two different inhibitors of p38. The activity of p38 was measured by western blot analysis using phospho-specific p38 antibodies and normalized to blots using antibodies directed to total p38 proteins. Snail transcripts were measured using qRT-PCR. The inhibition of p38 blocked Cd-induced migration and invasion, which correlated with an increased activation of p38 as a function of dose and time. Furthermore, Cd-induced activation of p38 MAPK controlled the increase of snail mRNA expression. The p38 MAPK/snail signaling axis was involved in Cd-induced lung cancer cell migration and invasion.