Direct targeting of Sec23a by miR-200s influences cancer cell secretome and promotes metastatic colonization

M Korpal, BJ Ell, FM Buffa, T Ibrahim, MA Blanco… - Nature medicine, 2011 - nature.com
M Korpal, BJ Ell, FM Buffa, T Ibrahim, MA Blanco, T Celià-Terrassa, L Mercatali, Z Khan
Nature medicine, 2011nature.com
Although the role of miR-200s in regulating E-cadherin expression and epithelial-to-
mesenchymal transition is well established, their influence on metastatic colonization
remains controversial. Here we have used clinical and experimental models of breast
cancer metastasis to discover a pro-metastatic role of miR-200s that goes beyond their
regulation of E-cadherin and epithelial phenotype. Overexpression of miR-200s is
associated with increased risk of metastasis in breast cancer and promotes metastatic …
Abstract
Although the role of miR-200s in regulating E-cadherin expression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is well established, their influence on metastatic colonization remains controversial. Here we have used clinical and experimental models of breast cancer metastasis to discover a pro-metastatic role of miR-200s that goes beyond their regulation of E-cadherin and epithelial phenotype. Overexpression of miR-200s is associated with increased risk of metastasis in breast cancer and promotes metastatic colonization in mouse models, phenotypes that cannot be recapitulated by E-cadherin expression alone. Genomic and proteomic analyses revealed global shifts in gene expression upon miR-200 overexpression toward that of highly metastatic cells. miR-200s promote metastatic colonization partly through direct targeting of Sec23a, which mediates secretion of metastasis-suppressive proteins, including Igfbp4 and Tinagl1, as validated by functional and clinical correlation studies. Overall, these findings suggest a pleiotropic role of miR-200s in promoting metastatic colonization by influencing E-cadherin–dependent epithelial traits and Sec23a-mediated tumor cell secretome.
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