Neural Precursor Cell Expressed, Developmentally Down Regulated 9 (NEDD9)

The HEF1 cDNA encodes an 835-amino acid protein containing an N-terminal Src homology (SH) 3 domain and an adjacent domain composed of multiple SH2-binding motifs.NEDD9 mRNA and protein expression was significantly upregulated in human metastatic melanoma relative to nontransformed melanocytes and benign melanocytic neoplasia, and NEDD9 protein overexpression correlated with metastatic progression in human melanomas. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that NEDD9 enhanced invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo of both normal and transformed human and mouse melanocytes. Furthermore, NEDD9 interacted with FAK (PTK2) to modulate formation of focal contacts to enhance invasion.