Research Papers:
Estrogenic gper signaling regulates mir144 expression in cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (cafs)
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Abstract
Adele Vivacqua1, Paola De Marco1, Maria Francesca Santolla1, Francesca Cirillo1, Michele Pellegrino1, Maria Luisa Panno1, Sergio Abonante2 and Marcello Maggiolini1
1 Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
2 Regional Hospital, Cosenza, Italy
Correspondence to:
Marcello Maggiolini, email:
Keywords: CAFs, cancer, estrogens, GPER, miRNAs
Received: February 23, 2015 Accepted: April 20, 2015 Published: May 12, 2015
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in several pathophysiological conditions, including cancer. The stimulation of hormone-sensitive tumors by estrogens are mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)α and G protein estrogen receptor (GPER). Previous studies have reported that ERα regulates miRNA expression, while this ability of GPER remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that in SkBr3 breast cancer and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, 17β-estradiol (E2) and the selective GPER ligand G-1 induce miR144 expression through GPER and the involvement of the PI3K/ERK1/2/Elk1 transduction pathway. Moreover, we show that E2 and G-1 down-regulate through miR144 the onco-suppressor Runx1 and increase cell cycle progression. The capability of E2 and G-1 in triggering the induction of miR144 and the down-regulation of Runx1 was also confirmed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that are main components of the tumor microenvironment driving cancer progression. Further confirming these results, Runx1 protein levels were found decreased in tumor xenografts upon G-1 treatment. On the basis of our findings miR144 and Runx1 may be included among the oncotargets of GPER action. Moreover, the present data provide new insights regarding the ability of estrogens to trigger the GPER/miR144/Runx1 transduction pathway toward the stimulation of cancer progression.
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