scholarly journals Wnt/PCP signaling mediates breast cancer metastasis by promoting pro-invasive protrusion formation in collectively motile leader cells

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kacey VanderVorst ◽  
Courtney Dreyer ◽  
Jason Hatakeyama ◽  
George RR Bell ◽  
Anastasia L Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Collective Cell Migration ◽  
Collective Migration ◽  
Her2 Positive

As evidence supporting essential roles for collective cell migration in carcinoma metastasis continues to accumulate, a better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms will be critical to translating these findings to the treatment of advanced cancers. Here we report that Wnt/PCP, a non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway, mediates breast cancer collective migration and metastasis. We observe that mammary gland-specific knockout of Vangl2, a tetraspanin-like scaffolding protein required for Wnt5a-induced signaling and motility in cultured breast cancer cell lines, results in a striking decrease in metastatic efficiency but not primary tumor growth in the MMTV-NDL transgenic mouse model of HER2-positive breast cancer. We also observe that expression levels of core Wnt/PCP components Wnt5a, Vangl1 and Vangl2 are selectively elevated in K14-positive leader cells relative to follower cells within a collectively migrating cohort, and that Vangl2 expression selectively promotes RhoA activation in leading edge cells. Moreover, Vangl expression drives collective migration in three-dimensional ex vivo tumor organoids, and Vangl protein specifically accumulates within pro-migratory filamentous actin-rich protrusions of leader cells. Together, our observations point to a model whereby Wnt/PCP upregulation facilitates breast tumor collective cell motility by selectively augmenting the formation pro-migratory protrusions within leader cells.

scholarly journals WNT11 is a novel ligand for ROR2 in human breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Menck ◽  
Saskia Heinrichs ◽  
Darius Wlochowitz ◽  
Maren Sitte ◽  
Helen Noeding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Human Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Parp Inhibition ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Tumor Invasiveness

ABSTRACTBreast cancer has been associated with activation of the WNT signaling pathway, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we found the WNT receptor ROR2 to be highly expressed in aggressive breast tumors and associated with worse metastasis-free survival. In order to understand the molecular basis of these observations, we overexpressed ROR2 in human breast cancer cell lines, inducing a BRCAness-like phenotype and rendering them resistant to PARP inhibition. High levels of ROR2 were associated with defects in cell morphology and cell-cell-contacts leading to increased tumor invasiveness. Using gene expression analysis we demonstrated an upregulation of several non-canonical WNT ligands in ROR2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, in particular WNT11. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that WNT11 is indeed a novel ligand for ROR2 that interacts with its cysteine-rich domain and triggers the invasion-promoting signaling via RHO/ROCK. Knockdown of WNT11 reversed the pro-invasive phenotype and the cellular changes in ROR2-overexpressing cells. Taken together, our studies revealed a novel auto-stimulatory loop in which ROR2 triggers the expression of its own ligand, WNT11, resulting in enhanced tumor invasion associated with breast cancer metastasis.

scholarly journals A novel isoform of ATOH8 promotes the metastasis of breast cancer by regulating RhoC

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyao Xu ◽  
Shan Huang ◽  
Xiaoli Dong ◽  
Yanan Chen ◽  
Miao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Metastasis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Prognostic Indicator ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Related Mortality ◽  
Made In

Abstract Metastases are the main cause of cancer-related mortality in breast cancer. Although significant progress has been made in the field of tumor metastasis, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in tumor metastasis are still unclear. Here, we report that ATOH8-V1, a novel isoform of ATOH8, is highly expressed in breast cancer and is a negative prognostic indicator of survival for patients. Forced expression of ATOH8-V1 dramatically enhances, while silencing of ATOH8-V1 decreases the metastasis of breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, ATOH8-V1 directly binds to the RhoC promoter and stimulates the expression of RhoC, which in turn enhances the metastasis of breast cancer. Altogether, our data demonstrate that ATOH8-V1 is a novel pro-metastatic factor that enhances cancer metastasis, suggesting that ATOH8-V1 is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of metastatic cancers.

scholarly journals miR-342-5p as a Potential Regulator of HER2 Breast Cancer Cell Growth

MicroRNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evita Maria Lindholm ◽  
Suvi-Katri Leivonen ◽  
Eldri Undlien ◽  
Daniel Nebdal ◽  
Anna Git ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Her2 Positive ◽  
Her2 Breast Cancer

Background: HER2 positive Breast Cancers (BC) have aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Previously, we have identified miR-342-5p as an upstream regulator of HER2 signaling, as well as inhibitor of HER2 positive BC cell line growth. Objective: Here, we aimed to further investigate the molecular mechanisms behind miR-342-5pinduced HER2 pathway deregulation. </P><P> Method: Two HER2 amplified breast cancer cell lines were transiently transfected with miR-342-5p mimic or negative control, and gene expression was analyzed by Agilent microarrays. Three clinical datasets with BC patients were used to identify correlations between candidate genes and miR-342- 5p, and associations with survival. Results: Pathway analyses of all deregulated genes revealed a significant suppression of the HER2 downstream pathways ERK/MAPK and SAPK/JNK, whereas the miR-342-5p predicted target genes were enriched for pathways associated with cell motility.Biological functions linked to mitochondrial stability were ranked among the top toxicological functions in both gene lists. Among the most deregulated genes, Cytochrome B5 Reductase 3 (CYB5R3) and Rap Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 6 (RAPGEF6) significantly anticorrelated and correlated, respectively, with miR-342-5p in all three clinical BC datasets. Low CYB5R3 levels and high RAPGEF6 levels were significantly associated with survival, although this was not directly associated with HER2 expression. Conclusion: Our data suggest that miR-342-5p overexpression in HER2 positive BC cell lines elicits broad effects on HER2 downstream signaling, cell motility and mitochondrial stability. Together these effects may render cells less proliferative and more sensitive to cellular stress.

scholarly journals Advancement of Wnt signal pathway and the target of breast cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Liang ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Zhanchao Zhao ◽  
Qiang Fu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Signal Pathway ◽  
Bkca Channels ◽  
Wnt Signal Pathway ◽  
Wnt Signal

AbstractWnt/β-catenin signaling has been proved to play an important role in the development and promotion of cancer metastasis. The activation of Wnt signals can lead to duplicating, updating, metastasizing and relapsing. The Wnt signaling pathway is mainly divided into the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the Wnt/calcium pathway. A better understanding of all the diverse functions of Wnt and their molecular mechanisms has evoked prevailing interest in identifying additional targets related to the Wnt /β-catenin pathways in breast cancer. A number of new target, related to Wnt /β-catenin pathways have been identified in recent years, including NOP14, BKCa channels, Emilin2, WISP, MicroRNAs, NRBP1, TRAF4, and Wntless. In this review, we will introduce the new targets related to the Wnt /β-catenin pathways in breast cancer.

scholarly journals Current Approaches and Emerging Directions in HER2-resistant Breast Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S9453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Brufsky
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Her2 Overexpression ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Her2 Positive

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is overexpressed in up to 30% of breast cancers; HER2 overexpression is indicative of poor prognosis. Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, has led to improved outcomes in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, including improved overall survival in adjuvant and first-line settings. However, a large proportion of patients with breast cancer have intrinsic resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, and nearly all become resistant to therapy after initial response. Elucidation of underlying mechanisms contributing to HER2 resistance has led to development of novel therapeutic strategies, including those targeting HER2 and downstream pathways, heat shock protein 90, telomerase, and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Numerous clinical trials are ongoing or completed, including phase 3 data for the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus in patients with HER2-resistant breast cancer. This review considers the molecular mechanisms associated with HER2 resistance and evaluates the evidence for use of evolving strategies in patients with HER2-resistant breast cancer.

scholarly journals Polypeptide-GalNAc-Transferase-13 Shows Prognostic Impact in Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5616
Author(s):  
Eugenia Fernandez ◽  
Luis Ubillos ◽  
Nabila Elgul ◽  
María Florencia Festari ◽  
Daniel Mazal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Metastatic Lymph Nodes ◽  
Metastatic Lymph

Breast cancer is a public health concern and is currently the fifth cause of mortality worldwide. Identification of different biological subtypes is essential for clinical management; therefore, the role of pathologists is essential and useful tools for immunohistochemistry diagnosis are needed. Polypeptide-GalNAc-transferases are emerging novel biomarkers related to cancer behavior and GalNAc-T13, correlated with aggressiveness in some tumors, is an interesting candidate. Few monoclonal antibodies reacting with native proteins, and not affected by fixation and paraffin embedding, have been reported. The aim of this work was to develop a useful monoclonal antibody anti-GalNAc-T13 and to assess its potential significance in breast cancer diagnosis. We evaluated 6 human breast cancer cell lines, 338 primary breast tumors and 48 metastatic lymph nodes and looked for clinical significance correlating GalNAc-T13 expression with patients’ clinical features and survival. We found high GalNAc-T13 expression in 43.8% of the cases and observed a significant higher expression in metastatic lymph nodes, correlating with worse overall survival. We hypothesized several possible molecular mechanisms and their implications. We conclude that GalNAc-T13 may be a novel biomarker in breast cancer, useful for routine pathological diagnosis. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms related to aggressiveness should contribute to understand the role of GalNAc-T13 in breast cancer biology.

scholarly journals Molecular Simulations Identify Target Receptor Kinases Bound by Astaxanthin to Induce Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Mossa Gardaneh ◽  
Zahra Nayeri ◽  
Parvin Akbari ◽  
Mahsa Gardaneh ◽  
Hasan Tahermansouri
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Background: We investigated molecular mechanisms behind astaxanthinmediated induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines toward combination therapy against cancer drug resistance. Methods: Breast cancer cell lines were treated with serial concentrations of astaxanthin to determine its IC50. We used drug-design software to predict interactions between astaxanthin and receptor tyrosine kinases or other key gene products involved in intracellular signaling pathways. Changes in gene expression were examined using RT-PCR. The effect of astaxanthin-nanocarbons combinations on cancer cells was also evaluated. Results: Astaxanthin induced cell death in all three breast cancer cell lines was examined so that its IC50 in two HER2-amplifying lines SKBR3 and BT-474 stood, respectively, at 36 and 37 ?M; however, this figure for MCF-7 was significantly lowered to 23 ?M (P<0.05). Astaxanthin-treated SKBR3 cells showed apoptotic death upon co-staining. Our in silico examinations showed that some growth-promoting molecules are strongly bound by astaxanthin via their specific amino acid residues with their binding energy standing below -6 KCa/Mol. Next, astaxanthin was combined with either graphene oxide or carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube, with the latter affecting SKBR cell survival more extensively than the former (P<0.05). Finally, astaxanthin coinduced tumor suppressors p53 and PTEN but downregulated the expression of growth-inducing genes in treated cells. Conclusion: These findings indicate astaxanthin carries' multitarget antitumorigenic capacities and introduce the compound as a suitable candidate for combination therapy regimens against cancer growth and drug resistance. Development of animal models to elucidate interactions between the compound and tumor microenvironment could be a major step forward towards the inclusion of astaxanthin in cancer therapy trials.

scholarly journals Uncovering the signaling landscape controlling breast cancer cell migration identifies splicing factor PRPF4B as a metastasis driver

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiel Fokkelman ◽  
Esmee Koedoot ◽  
Vasiliki-Maria Rogkoti ◽  
Sylvia E. Le Dévédec ◽  
Iris van de Sandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Cell Migration ◽  
Metastasis Formation ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Migration ◽  
Basal Breast Cancer

AbstractMetastasis is the major cause of death in cancer patients and migration of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites is the prerequisite of metastasis formation. Here we applied an imaging-based RNAi phenotypic cell migration screen using two highly migratory basal breast cancer cell lines (Hs578T and MDA-MB-231) to provide a repository for signaling determinants that functionally drive cancer cell migration. We screened ~4,200 individual target genes covering most cell signaling components and discovered 133 and 113 migratory modulators of Hs578T and MDA-MB-231, respectively, of which 43 genes were common denominators of cell migration. Interaction networks of candidate migratory modulators were in common with networks of different clinical breast cancer prognostic and metastasis classifiers. The splicing factors PRPF4B and BUD31 and the transcription factor BPTF were amplified in human primary breast tumors and the expression was associated with metastasis-free survival. Depletion of PRPF4B, BUD31 and BPTF caused primarily down-regulation of genes involved in focal adhesion and ECM-interaction pathways. PRPF4B was essential for triple negative breast cancer cell migration and critical for breast cancer metastasis formation in vivo, making PRPF4B a candidate for further drug development. Our systematic phenotypic screen provides an important repository of candidate metastasis drug targets.

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