scholarly journals The deubiquitinating enzyme USP15 stabilizes ERα and promotes breast cancer progression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Xia ◽  
Chuyi Huang ◽  
Yuning Liao ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Jinchan He ◽  
...  

AbstractBreast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in women worldwide. There are 70% of breast cancers considered as estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive. Therefore, the ERα-targeted therapy has become one of the most effective solution for patients with breast cancer. Whereas a better understanding of ERα regulation is critical to shape evolutional treatments for breast cancer. By exploring the regulatory mechanisms of ERα at levels of post-translational modifications, we identified the deubiquitinase USP15 as a novel protector for preventing ERα degradation and a critical driver for breast cancer progression. Specifically, we demonstrated that USP15 promoted the proliferation of ERα+, but not ERα- breast cancer, in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, USP15 knockdown notably enhanced the antitumor activities of tamoxifen on breast cancer cells. Importantly, USP15 knockdown induced the downregulation of ERα protein via promoting its K48-linked ubiquitination, which is required for proliferative inhibition of breast cancer cells. These findings not only provide a novel treatment for overcoming resistance to endocrine therapy, but also represent a therapeutic strategy on ERα degradation by targeting USP15-ERα axis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6357
Author(s):  
Hui Shi ◽  
Luping Zhao ◽  
Xinlin Guo ◽  
Runping Fang ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
...  

Invasive breast cancer is highly regulated by tumor-derived cytokines in tumor microenvironment. The development of drugs that specifically target cytokines are promising in breast cancer treatment. In this study, we reported that arctigenin, a bioactive compound from Arctium lappa L., could decrease tumor-promoting cytokines GM-CSF, MMP-3, MMP-9 and TSLP in breast cancer cells. Arctigenin not only inhibited the proliferation, but also the invasion and stemness of breast cancer cells via decreasing GM-CSF and TSLP. Mechanistically, arctigenin decreased the promoter activities of GM-CSF and TSLP via reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 which is crucial for the transcription of GM-CSF and TSLP. Furthermore, arctigenin-induced depletion of GM-CSF and TSLP inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and β-catenin signaling resulting in decreased proliferation, invasion and stemness of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which tumor-promoting cytokines regulate breast cancer progression and suggest that arctigenin is a promising candidate for cytokine-targeted breast cancer therapy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
Ai Zhang ◽  
Ping-Ping Bao ◽  
Li Lin ◽  
Yina Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Emerging evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in breast cancer development. We recently reported that a higher expression of miR-374b in tumor tissues was associated with a better disease-free survival of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the functional significance and molecular mechanisms underlying the role of miR-374b in breast cancer are largely unknown. In this current study, we evaluated the biological functions and potential mechanisms of miR-374b in both TNBC and non-TNBC. We found that miR-374b was significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissues, compared to adjacent tissues. MiR-374b levels were also lower in breast cancer cell lines, as compared to breast epithelial cells. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that miR-374b modulates the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells, such as cell proliferation in 2D and 3D, cell invasion ability, colony forming ability, and tumor growth in mice. By using bioinformatics tools, we predicted that miR-374b plays a role in breast cancer cells through negatively regulating cyclin D1 (CCND1) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA). We further confirmed that CCND1 and TGFA contribute to the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our rescue experiments showed that overexpressing CCND1 or TGFA reverses the phenotypes caused by miR-374b overexpression. Taken together, our studies suggest that miR-374b modulates malignant behavior of breast cancer cells by negatively regulating CCND1 and TGFA genes. The newly identified miR-374b-mediated CCND1 and TGFA gene silencing may facilitate a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-290
Author(s):  
Xuan Liu ◽  
Weirong Yao ◽  
Haiwei Xiong ◽  
Qiang Li ◽  
Yingliang Li

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and usually occurs in women. Studies have shown that lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) contributes to breast cancer progression. This study intends to further investigate the molecular mechanism of NEAT1 in breast cancer. METHODS: The expression levels of NEAT1, miR-410-3p and Cyclin D1 (CCND1) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in breast cancer tissues and cells. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were performed to determine the relationship between NEAT1 and overall survival. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay analyzed cell proliferation. Transwell assay was performed to examine cell migration and invasion. The protein levels of CCND1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin) were measured by western blot. The target relationship was predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Xenograft analysis was used to evaluate the tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: NEAT1 and CCND1 were upregulated, while miR-410-3p was down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cells. Higher NEAT1 expression level was associated with lower survival rate of breast cancer patients. Knockdown of miR-410-3p restored silenced NEAT1-mediated the inhibition of on proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of breast cancer cells. In addition, NEAT1 regulated CCND1 expression by sponging miR-410-3p in breast cancer cells. NEAT1 knockdown blocked the tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: NEAT1 induced breast cancer progression by regulating the miR-410-3p/CCND1 axis, indicating that NEAT1 may be a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14565-e14565
Author(s):  
D. Sharma ◽  
B. B. Knight ◽  
R. Yacoub ◽  
T. Liu ◽  
L. Taliaferro-Smith ◽  
...  

e14565 Background: The outcome for patients with breast cancer has been significantly improved by the use of targeted agents. The prognosis of triple negative (TN) breast cancers, which do not express hormone receptors (ER, PR) or Her2, is poor, because of an aggressive clinical course and lack of targeted therapeutic agents. Epigenetic silencing of specific genes has been observed in breast cancer and some of these genes are more important due to available targeted therapies such as ER. Since all endocrine therapies are designed to block ER function in some way, the identification of new therapies or strategies that could sensitize TN breast cancers to existing endocrine therapy could provide a revolutionary means of treating this aggressive subtype of cancer Methods: We examined the efficacy of combined treatment of HDAC inhibitor LBH589 and DNMT inhibitor decitabine to regenerate ER and PR in TN breast cancer cells using RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Changes in growth and proliferation of TN breast cancer cells in response to LBH589 and decitabine treatment were determined by XTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assay. Changes in apoptotic proteins were determined by western blotting. Athymic nude mice were used to establish pre-clinical models for TN breast cancer cells and effectiveness of combined treatment of LBH589 and decitabine was determined. Tumors biopsies were analyzed for ER and PR re-expression by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry at the end of the treatment. Results: Combined treatment of LBH589 and decitabine resulted in re-expression of ER and PR in TN breast cancers in vitro and in vivo. Although re-expression of ER and PR were noted following LBH589 treatment alone, re-expression was more robust with the combination. TN breast cancer cells showing re-expressed ER can be targeted with tamoxifen. Tamoxifen inhibits growth of TN breast cancer cells re- expressing ER by triggering apoptosis. Conclusions: The importance of epigenetic events such as DNA methylation and HDAC inhibition in tumor progression is becoming increasingly evident. A trial evaluating the ability of LBH589 and decitabine to re- express ER, which can then be targeted by tamoxifen, is planned in patients with metastatic TN breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Hühn ◽  
Pablo Martí-Rodrigo ◽  
Silvana Mouron ◽  
Catherine S. Hansel ◽  
Kirsten Tschapalda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTEstrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast tumors are routinely treated with estrogen-depriving therapies. Despite their effectiveness, patients often progress into a more aggressive form of the disease. Through a chemical screen oriented to identify chemicals capable of inducing the expression of the immune-checkpoint ligand PD-L1, we found antiestrogens as hits. Subsequent validations confirmed that estrogen deprivation or ERα depletion induces PD-L1 expression in ER-positive breast cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Likewise, PD-L1 expression is increased in metastasis arising from breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy for their local disease. Transcriptome analyses indicate that estrogen deprivation triggers a broad immunosuppressive program, not restricted to PD-L1. Accordingly, estrogen deprived MCF7 cells are resistant to T-cell mediated cell killing, in a manner that can be reverted by estradiol. Our study reveals that while antiestrogen therapies effectively limit tumor growth in ER-positive breast cancers, they also trigger a transcriptional program that favors immune evasion.


Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (9) ◽  
pp. 3251-3261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia K. Blackmore ◽  
Sudipan Karmakar ◽  
Guowei Gu ◽  
Vaishali Chaubal ◽  
Liguo Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract The SMRT coregulator functions as a dual coactivator and corepressor for estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in a gene-specific manner, and in several studies its elevated expression correlates with poor outcome for breast cancer patients. A specific role of SMRT in breast cancer progression has not been elucidated, but SMRT knock-down limits estradiol-dependent growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In this study, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) approaches were used to determine the effects of SMRT depletion on growth of ERα-positive MCF-7 and ZR-75–1 breast cancer cells, as well as the ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer line. Depletion of SMRT inhibited growth of ERα-positive cells grown in monolayer but had no effect on growth of the ERα-negative cells. Reduced SMRT levels also negatively impacted the anchorage-independent growth of MCF-7 cells as assessed by soft agar colony formation assays. The observed growth inhibitions were due to a loss of estradiol-induced progression through the G1/S transition of the cell cycle and increased apoptosis in SMRT-depleted compared with control cells. Gene expression analyses indicated that SMRT inhibits apoptosis by a coordinated regulation of genes involved in apoptosis. Functioning as a dual coactivator for anti-apoptotic genes and corepressor for pro-apoptotic genes, SMRT can limit apoptosis. Together these data indicate that SMRT promotes breast cancer progression through multiple pathways leading to increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 687-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron N. Johnstone ◽  
Perry S. Mongroo ◽  
A. Sophie Rich ◽  
Michael Schupp ◽  
Mark J. Bowser ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Parvin-β is a focal adhesion protein downregulated in human breast cancer cells. Loss of Parvin-β contributes to increased integrin-linked kinase activity, cell-matrix adhesion, and invasion through the extracellular matrix in vitro. The effect of ectopic Parvin-β expression on the transcriptional profile of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which normally do not express Parvin-β, was evaluated. Particular emphasis was placed upon propagating MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in three-dimensional culture matrices. Interestingly, Parvin-β reexpression in MDA-MB-231 cells increased the mRNA expression, serine 82 phosphorylation (mediated by CDK9), and activity of the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and there was a concomitant increase in lipogenic gene expression as a downstream effector of PPARγ. Importantly, Parvin-β suppressed breast cancer growth in vivo, with associated decreased proliferation. These data suggest that Parvin-β might influence breast cancer progression.


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Maymann Rasmussen ◽  
Klaus Stensgaard Frederiksen ◽  
Nanni Din ◽  
Elisabeth Galsgaard ◽  
Leif Christensen ◽  
...  

The pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in mammary gland development. It was also suggested to contribute to breast cancer progression. In vivo data strongly supported a crucial role of PRL in promoting tumour growth; however, PRL demonstrated only a weak, if any, pro-proliferative effect on cancer cells in vitro. Several recent studies indicated that PRL action in vivo may be influenced by the hormonal milieu, e.g. other growth factors such as 17β-oestradiol (E2). Here, we explored the potential interplay between PRL and E2 in regulation of gene expression and cell growth. PRL alone induced either a weak or no proliferative response of T47D and BT-483 cells respectively, while it drastically enhanced cell proliferation in E2-stimulated cultures. Affymetrix microarray analysis revealed 12 genes to be regulated by E2, while 57 genes were regulated by PRL in T47D cells. Most of the PRL-regulated genes (42/57) were not previously described as PRL target genes, e.g. WT1 and IER3. One hundred and five genes were found to be regulated upon PRL/E2 co-treatment: highest up-regulation was found for EGR3, RUNX2, EGR1, MAFF, GLIPR1, IER3, SOCS3, WT1 and AREG. PRL and E2 synergised to regulate EGR3, while multiple genes were regulated additively. These data show a novel interplay between PRL and E2 to modulate gene regulation in breast cancer cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 1528-1538
Author(s):  
Sarah Albogami ◽  
Hadeer Darwish ◽  
Hala M. Abdelmigid ◽  
Saqer Alotaibi ◽  
Ahmed Nour El-Deen ◽  
...  

Background: In Saudi Arabia, the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer are high. Although current treatments are effective, breast cancer cells develop resistance to these treatments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that active compounds in plant extracts, such as the phenolic compound Rosmarinic Acid (RA), exert anti-cancer effects. Objective: We investigated the anticancer properties of methanolic crude extracts of seedlings and calli of Rosmarinus officinalis and Coleus hybridus, two Lamiaceae species. Methods: MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were treated with methanolic crude extracts obtained from plant calli and seedlings generated in vitro, and cell proliferation was evaluated. Transcriptional profiling of the seedling and callus tissues was also conducted. Results: The mRNA expression levels of RA genes were higher in C. hybridus seedlings than in R. officinalis seedlings, as well as in C. hybridus calli than in R. officinalis calli, except for TAT and C4H. In addition, seedling and callus extracts of both R. officinalis and C. hybridus showed anti-proliferative effects against MCF-7 cells after 24 or 48 h of treatment. Discussion: At a low concentration of 10 μg/mL, C. hybridus calli and seedling extracts showed the most significant anti-proliferative effects after 24 and 48 h of exposure (p < 0.01); controls (doxorubicin) also showed significant inhibition, but lesser than that observed with C. hybridus (p < 0.05). Results with R. officinalis callus and seedling extracts did not significantly differ from those with untreated cells. Conclusion: Methanolic extracts of R. officinalis and C. hybridus are potentially valuable options for breast cancer treatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document