Fatty acid β-oxidation promotes breast cancer stemness and metastasis via the miRNA-328-3p-CPT1A pathway

Cancer Gene Ther. 2022 Mar;29(3-4):383-395. doi: 10.1038/s41417-021-00348-y. Epub 2021 May 27.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to be associated with tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response. MiR-328-3p plays a significant role in breast cancer growth; however, its actual function and how it modulates specific biological functions is poorly understood. Here, miR-328-3p was significantly downregulated in breast cancer, especially in patients with metastasis. Mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a (CPT1A) is a downstream target gene in the miR-328-3p-regulated pathway. Furthermore, the miR-328-3p/CPT1A/fatty acid β-oxidation/stemness axis was shown responsible for breast cancer metastasis. Collectively, this study revealed that miR-328-3p is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer patients with metastasis, and also a model for the miRNA-fatty acid β-oxidation-stemness axis, which may assist inunderstanding the cancer stem cell signaling functions of miRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase* / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Fatty Acids
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • MIRN328 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • CPT1A protein, human
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase