BRCA1/p220 loss triggers BRCA1-IRIS overexpression via mRNA stabilization in breast cancer cells

Oncotarget. 2012 Mar;3(3):299-313. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.462.

Abstract

BRCA1/p220-assocaited and triple negative/basal-like (TN/BL) tumors are aggressive and incurable breast cancer diseases that share among other features the no/low BRCA1/p220 expression. Here we show that BRCA1/p220 silencing in normal human mammary epithelial (HME) cells reduces expression of two RNA-destabilizing proteins, namely AUF1 and pCBP2, both proteins bind and destabilize BRCA1-IRIS mRNA. BRCA1-IRIS overexpression in HME cells triggers expression of several TN/BL markers, e.g., cytokeratins 5 and 17, p-cadherin, EGFR and cyclin E as well as expression and activation of the pro-survival proteins; AKT and survivin. BRCA1-IRIS silencing in the TN/BL cell line, SUM149 or restoration of BRCA1/p220 expression in the mutant cell line, HCC1937 reduced expression of TN/BL markers, AKT and survivin and induced cell death. Collectively, we propose that BRCA1/p220 loss of expression or function triggers BRCA1-IRIS overexpression through a post-transcriptional mechanism, which in turn promotes formation of aggressive and invasive breast tumors by inducing expression of TN/BL and survival proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • BRCA1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics*
  • BRCA1 Protein / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA Stability / drug effects
  • RNA Stability / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering