Pivotal role of reduced let-7g expression in breast cancer invasion and metastasis

Cancer Res. 2011 Oct 15;71(20):6463-74. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-11-1322. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

Abstract

Screening of the entire let-7 family of microRNAs (miRNA) by in situ hybridization identified let-7g as the only member, the diminished expression of which was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival in breast cancer patients. Abrogation of let-7g expression in otherwise nonmetastatic mammary carcinoma cells elicited rapid metastasis from the orthotopic location, through preferential targets, Grb2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) and fibronectin 1 (FN1), and consequent activation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and specific matrix metalloproteinases. Treatment with estrogen or epidermal growth factor specifically reduced the expression of mature let-7g through activation of p44/42 MAPK and subsequently stimulated expression of GAB2 and FN1, which, in turn, promoted tumor invasion. We thus identify let-7g as a unique member of the let-7 miRNA family that can serve as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer and also propose a paradigm used by specific signaling molecules via let-7g to cooperatively promote breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Thus, let-7 family members neither possess equivalent clinicopathologic correlation nor function in breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / mortality
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Estrogens
  • FN1 protein, human
  • Fibronectins
  • GAB2 protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases