Functional Role of the microRNA-200 Family in Breast Morphogenesis and Neoplasia

作者：Hilmarsdottir Bylgja; Briem Eirikur; Bergthorsson Jon Thor; Magnusson Magnus Karl; Gudjonsson Thorarinn^*

来源：Genes, 2014, 5(3): 804-820.

DOI：10.3390/genes5030804

• miRNAs
• miR-200 family
• breast
• epithelium
• branching morphogenesis
• EMT
• MET
• breast cancer

Branching epithelial morphogenesis is closely linked to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process important in normal development and cancer progression. The miR-200 family regulates epithelial morphogenesis and EMT through a negative feedback loop with the ZEB1 and ZEB2 transcription factors. miR-200 inhibits expression of ZEB1/2 mRNA, which in turn can down-regulate the miR-200 family that further results in down-regulation of E-cadherin and induction of a mesenchymal phenotype. Recent studies show that the expression of miR-200 genes is high during late pregnancy and lactation, thereby indicating that these miRs are important for breast epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation. miR-200 genes have been studied intensively in relation to breast cancer progression and metastasis, where it has been shown that miR-200 members are down-regulated in basal-like breast cancer where the EMT phenotype is prominent. There is growing evidence that the miR-200 family is up-regulated in distal breast metastasis indicating that these miRs are important for colonization of metastatic breast cancer cells through induction of mesenchymal to epithelial transition. The dual role of miR-200 in primary and metastatic breast cancer is of interest for future therapeutic interventions, making it important to understand its role and interacting partners in more detail.

• 出版日期2014-9