scholarly journals RNA-Sequencing Reveals Heat Shock 70-kDa Protein 6 (HSPA6) as a Novel Thymoquinone-Upregulated Gene That Inhibits Growth, Migration, and Invasion of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiyi Shen ◽  
Chunli Wei ◽  
Junjiang Fu

ObjectiveBreast cancer has become the first highest incidence which surpasses lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the second highest mortality among women worldwide. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a key component from black seed oil and has anti-cancer properties in a variety of tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).MethodsRNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted with and without TQ treatment in TNBC cell line BT-549. Gene Ontology (GO) function classification annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses for these genes were conducted. Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR were used to verify the regulated gene. Functional assays by overexpression or knocking down were performed for HSPA6 and its mediator TQ for inhibiting growth, migration and invasion of TNBC cells. The regulatory mechanisms and prognosis for HSPA6 for breast cancer survival were conducted through bioinformatics and online databases.ResultsAs a result, a total of 141 downregulated and 28 upregulated genes were identified and 18 differentially expressed genes, which might be related to carcinomas, were obtained. Interestingly, GO and KEGG pathway showed their roles on anti-cancer and anti-virus. Further analysis found that the HSPA6 gene was the high significantly upregulated gene, and showed to inhibit TNBC cell growth, migration and invasion. High expression of HSPA6 was positively correlated with long overall survival (OS) in patients with breast cancer, indicating the tumor-suppressive roles for HSPA6. But DNA methylation of HSPA6 may not be the regulatory mechanism for HSPA6 mRNA upregulation in breast cancer tissues, although the mRNA levels of HSPA6 were increased in these cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Moreover, TQ enhanced the inhibitory effect of migration and invasion when HSPA6 was overexpressed; while HSPA6 was knocked down, TQ attenuated the effects of HSPA6-promoted migration and invasion, demonstrating a partially dependent manner through HSPA6 by TQ treatment.ConclusionWe have successfully identified a novel TQ-targeted gene HSPA6, which shows the inhibitory effects on growth, migration and invasion in TNBC cells. Therefore, identification of HSPA6 not only reveals a new TQ regulatory mechanism, but also provides a novel candidate gene for clinical management and treatment of breast cancer, particularly for TNBC.

Breast Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingzi Zhang ◽  
Jiao Tian ◽  
Chi Qu ◽  
Yang Peng ◽  
Jinwei Lei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent studies have indicated that serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3 (SERPINA3) is a potential marker associated with tumor progression, which connoted that SERPINA3 is related to malignant phenotypes in cancer. However, the biological function of SERPINA3 in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. Methods Bioinformatics data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was conducted to determine SERPINA3 expression. With strong aggressive abilities, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines (MDA-MB-231, BT549 and MDA-MB-436) were obtained to examine SERPINA3 expression and functions. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to measure cell migration and invasion. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to detect cell proliferation abilities and cell viabilities. Results SERPINA3 was upregulated in BC tissues. Functional assays suggested that overexpression of SERPINA3 significantly promoted cell proliferation, where migration and invasion of TNBC cells were accelerated. Knockdown of SERPINA3 had the opposite effects. These results causing by overexpression of SERPINA3 were also confirmed in non-TNBC cell lines. Overexpression of SERPINA3 remarkably enhanced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating the EMT markers and EZH2. In addition, the overexpression of SERPINA3 reduced the sensitivity of TNBC cells to cisplatin. Conclusion SERPINA3 can regulate the migration, invasion and EMT of TNBC cells and increased expression of SERPINA3 confers resistance to cisplatin in TNBC cells. We discern it is required for the regulation of BC progression and is a critical target for the clinical treatment of BC.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradip Shahi Thakuri ◽  
Megha Gupta ◽  
Sunil Singh ◽  
Ramila Joshi ◽  
Eric Glasgow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cell migration and invasion are essential processes for metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Significant progress has been made in developing new therapies against oncogenic signaling to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. However, inherent heterogeneity and treatment-induced adaptation to drugs commonly enable subsets of cancer cells to survive therapy. In addition to local recurrence, these cells escape a primary tumor and migrate through the stroma to access the circulation and metastasize to different organs, leading to an incurable disease. As such, therapeutics that block migration and invasion of cancer cells may inhibit or reduce metastasis and significantly improve cancer therapy. This is particularly more important for cancers, such as triple negative breast cancer, that currently lack targeted drugs. Methods We used cell migration, 3D invasion, zebrafish metastasis model, and phosphorylation analysis of 43 protein kinases in nine triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines to study effects of fisetin and quercetin on inhibition of TNBC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Results Fisetin and quercetin were highly effective against migration of all nine TNBC cell lines with up to 76 and 74% inhibitory effects, respectively. In addition, treatments significantly reduced 3D invasion of highly motile TNBC cells from spheroids into a collagen matrix and their metastasis in vivo. Fisetin and quercetin commonly targeted different components and substrates of the oncogenic PI3K/AKT pathway and significantly reduced their activities. Additionally, both compounds disrupted activities of several protein kinases in MAPK and STAT pathways. We used molecular inhibitors specific to these signaling proteins to establish the migration-inhibitory role of the two phytochemicals against TNBC cells. Conclusions We established that fisetin and quercetin potently inhibit migration of metastatic TNBC cells by interfering with activities of oncogenic protein kinases in multiple pathways.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Wang ◽  
Wenju Chen ◽  
Yaqiong Zhang ◽  
Qianyi Zhong ◽  
Zhaoyun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant and highly heterogeneous tumors in women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-1246, play important roles in various types of malignant cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the biological role of miR-1246 in TNBC has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we studied the role of miR-1246 in the occurrence and development of TNBC and its mechanism of action.Methods. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to observe the effects of miR-1246 on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was detected by western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. In addition, an immunoprecipitation experiment was performed to verify the binding of DYRK1A to PGRN. Rescue experiments were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246 and whether miR-1246 suppresses the metastasis of breast cancer cells by targeting the DRAK1A/PGRN axis to prevent the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Results. Our results show that miR‑1246 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells and that DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. MiR‑1246 plays a suppressive role in the regulation of the EMT of TNBC cells by targeting DYRK1A. DYRK1A mediates the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via activation of the EMT. We identified PGRN as a novel DYRK1A-interacting protein. DYRK1A and PGRN act together to regulate the occurrence and development of breast cancer through miR-1246.Conclusion. miR-1246 attenuates TNBC cell invasion and the EMT by targeting the DRAK1A/PGRN axis. Our data suggest that miR‑1246 may be used to develop novel early-stage diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TNBC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nakhjavani ◽  
Palethorpe ◽  
Tomita ◽  
Smith ◽  
Price ◽  
...  

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has two epimers, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (SRg3) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (RRg3), and while Rg3 itself has been reported to have anti-cancer properties, few studies have been reported on the anti-cancer effects of the different epimers. The aim was to investigate the stereoselective effects of the Rg3 epimers on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, tested using cell-based assays for proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, migration and invasion. Molecular docking showed that Rg3 interacted with the aquaporin 1 (AQP1) water channel (binding score −9.4 kJ mol−1). The Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system was used to study the effect of Rg3 epimers on the AQP1 water permeability. The AQP1 expression in TNBC cell lines was compared with quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that only SRg3 inhibited the AQP1 water flux and inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 (100 μM), due to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1. SRg3 inhibited the chemoattractant-induced migration of MDA-MB-231. The AQP1 expression in MDA-MB-231 was higher than in HCC1143 or DU4475 cell lines. These results suggest a role for AQP1 in the proliferation and chemoattractant-induced migration of this cell line. Compared to SRg3, RRg3 had more potency and efficacy, inhibiting the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231. Rg3 has stereoselective anti-cancer effects in the AQP1 high-expressing cell line MDA-MB-231.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengli Zhang ◽  
Mei Meng ◽  
Yuxi Liu ◽  
Jindan Qi ◽  
Zhe Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly metastatic and lethal. Due to a lack of druggable targets for this disease, there are no effective therapies in the clinic. Methods We used TNBC cells and xenografted mice as models to explore triptonide-mediated inhibition of TNBC metastasis and tumor growth. Colony formation assay was used to quantify the tumorigenesis of TNBC cells. Wound-healing and cell trans-well assays were utilized to measure cell migration and invasion. Tube formation assay was applied to access tumor cell-mediated vasculogenic mimicry. Western blot, quantitative-PCR, immunofluorescence imaging, and immunohistochemical staining were used to measure the expression levels of various tumorigenic genes in TNBC cells. Results Here, we showed that triptonide, a small molecule from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, potently inhibited TNBC cell migration, invasion, and vasculogenic mimicry, and effectively suppressed TNBC tumor growth and lung metastasis in xenografted mice with no observable toxicity. Molecular mechanistic studies revealed that triptonide strongly triggered the degradation of master epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing protein Twist1 through the lysosomal system and reduced Notch1 expression and NF-κB phosphorylation, which consequently diminished the expression of pro-metastatic and angiogenic genes N-cadherin, VE-cadherin, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Conclusions Triptonide effectively suppressed TNBC cell tumorigenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, and strongly inhibited the metastasis of TNBC via degradation of Twist1 and Notch1 oncoproteins, downregulation of metastatic and angiogenic gene expression, and reduction of NF-κB signaling pathway. Our findings provide a new strategy for treating highly lethal TNBC and offer a potential new drug candidate for combatting this aggressive disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Wang ◽  
Wenju Chen ◽  
Yaqiong Zhang ◽  
Qianyi Zhong ◽  
Zhaoyun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant and highly heterogeneous tumors in women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-1246, play important roles in various types of malignant cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the biological role of miR-1246 in TNBC has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we studied the role of miR-1246 in the occurrence and development of TNBC and its mechanism of action.Methods. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to observe the effects of miR-1246 on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was detected by western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. In addition, an immunoprecipitation experiment was performed to verify the binding of DYRK1A to PGRN. Rescue experiments were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246 and whether miR-1246 suppresses the metastasis of breast cancer cells by targeting the DYRK1A/PGRN axis to prevent the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Results. Our results show that miR‑1246 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells and that DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. MiR‑1246 plays a suppressive role in the regulation of the EMT of TNBC cells by targeting DYRK1A. DYRK1A mediates the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via activation of the EMT. We identified PGRN as a novel DYRK1A-interacting protein. DYRK1A and PGRN act together to regulate the occurrence and development of breast cancer through miR-1246.Conclusion. miR-1246 attenuates TNBC cell invasion and the EMT by targeting the DYRK1A/PGRN axis. Our data suggest that miR‑1246 may be used to develop novel early-stage diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TNBC.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woong Sub Byun ◽  
Won Kyung Kim ◽  
Ji-seong Yoon ◽  
Dnyandev B. Jarhad ◽  
Lak Shin Jeong ◽  
...  

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is among the most aggressive and potentially metastatic malignancies. Most affected patients have poor clinical outcomes due to the lack of specific molecular targets on tumor cells. The upregulated expression of disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), a histone methyltransferase specific for the histone H3 lysine 79 residue (H3K79), is strongly correlated with TNBC cell aggressiveness. Therefore, DOT1L is considered a potential molecular target in TNBC. Fluoro-neplanocin A (F-NepA), an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against various types of cancer cells, including breast cancers. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of F-NepA in TNBC cells remains to be elucidated. We determined that F-NepA exhibited a higher growth-inhibitory activity against TNBC cells relative to non-TNBC breast cancer and normal breast epithelial cells. Moreover, F-NepA effectively downregulated the level of H3K79me2 in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells by inhibiting DOT1L activity. F-NepA also significantly inhibited TNBC cell migration and invasion. These activities of F-NepA might be associated with the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin and Vimentin in TNBC cells. Taken together, these data highlight F-NepA as a strong potential candidate for the targeted treatment of high-DOT1L-expressing TNBC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6685
Author(s):  
Karan Ulhaka ◽  
Kanyanatt Kanokwiroon ◽  
Mattaka Khongkow ◽  
Rassanee Bissanum ◽  
Thanaporn Khunpitak ◽  
...  

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents an important clinical challenge, as it does not respond to endocrine therapies or other available targeting agents. FOXM1, an oncogenic transcriptional factor, has reported to be upregulated and associated with poor clinical outcomes in TNBC patients. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of FDI-6, a FOXM1 inhibitor, as well as its molecular mechanisms, in TNBC cells. Two TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and HS578T, were used in this study. The anti-cancer activities of FDI-6 were evaluated using various 2D cell culture assays, including Sulforhodamine B (SRB), wound healing, and transwell invasion assays together with 3D spheroid assays, mimicking real tumour structural properties. After treatment with FDI-6, the TNBC cells displayed a significant inhibition in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Increased apoptosis was also observed in the treated cells. In addition, we found that FDI-6 lead to the downregulation of FOXM1 and its key oncogenic targets, including CyclinB1, Snail, and Slug. Interestingly, we also found that the FDI-6/Doxorubicin combination significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and apoptotic properties, suggesting that FDI-6 might improve chemotherapy treatment efficacy and reduce unwanted side effects. Altogether, FDI-6 exhibited promising anti-tumour activities and could be developed as a newly effective treatment for TNBC.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096032712097902
Author(s):  
Lining Wei ◽  
Xiangping Wang ◽  
Min Luo ◽  
Hongzhi Wang ◽  
Hao Chen ◽  
...  

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 10–20% of all breast cancers and is one of the leading causes of mortality among females. Radiotherapy is essential during the treatment of breast cancer. Growing evidence has indicated that peptidyl arginine deiminase-4 (PAD4) inhibitor can alleviate the development of multiple cancers, including breast cancer, through inhibiting cell proliferation. GSK484 is considered to be a highly potent PAD4-selective inhibitors. However, the potential role and mechanism of GSK484 in TNBC remain unclear. In this study, we intended to explore the effects of GSK484 on the radiosensitivity of TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and BT-549). We found that the pretreatment of GSK484 enhanced irradiation (IR)-induced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Besides, our findings revealed that GSK484 facilitated TNBC cell apoptosis. IR treatment-induced increase of the protein level of ATG5 and ATG7, and decrease of p62 protein level were countervailed by GSK484. In addition, GSK484 enhanced DNA damage induced by IR. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the combined treatment of IR and GSK484 showed an obvious decline of tumor growth in contrast to IR-alone or GSK484-alone treatment. Overall, GSK484 may serve as a radiosensitizer of TNBC through inhibiting IR-induced autophagy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Sun ◽  
Hongjun Huo ◽  
Xiaoyan Hao ◽  
Juanyun Li ◽  
Zishan Yuan

Abstract BackgroundAlthought lncRNA SEMA3B-AS1 was known to be involved in the development of many types of cancer, the role of SEMA3B-AS1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unknown. This study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of SEMA3B-AS1 in TNBC.The mRNA expression of SEMA3B-AS1, miR-545 and CDK4 in TNBC tissues and non-cancer tissues of TNBC patients (n = 69) was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of CDK4 was detected by Western blot. Cell proliferation were evaluated by CCK-8 assay.ResultsWe found that the expression of SEMA3B-AS1 was downregulated in TNBC tissues. The expression of SEMA3B-AS1 was positively correlated with the expression of miR-545 and inversely correlated with the expression of CDK4. Overexpression of SEMA3B-AS1 or miR-545 resulted in the downregulation of CDK4. Moreover, miR-545 inhibitor attenuated the effect of SEMA3B-AS1 overexpression on CDK4 expression. SEMA3B-AS1 overexpression also resulted in the upregulation of miR-545. Overexpression of SEMA3B-AS1 or miR-545 decreased the rate of TNBC cell proliferation, while overexpression of CDK4 increased the rate of TNBC cell proliferation. In addition, miR-545 inhibitor attenuated the effect of SEMA3B-AS1 overexpression on cell proliferation.Interaction between SEMA3B-AS1 and CDK4 mediated by miR-545 regulates the proliferation of TNBC cells.


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