MicroRNA-200c Inhibits the Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Targeting ZEB2, an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Regulator

Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2020 Jul;50(4):519-527.

Abstract

Objective: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most common malignant, highly heterogeneous tumors in women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-200c, play an important role in various types of malignant cancer, including TNBC. However, the biological role of miRNA-200c in TNBC is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of miR-200c in the growth of TNBC.

Methods: Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of miR-200c in TNBC tissues and TNBC cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, wound healing, and transwell assays were used to observe the effects of miR-200c on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were detected by Western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to test whether ZEB2 is a novel target of miR-200c.

Result: Our results show that ZEB2 is a novel target of miR-200c and that ZEB2 mediates the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via EMT.

Conclusion: miR-200c attenuates TNBC cell invasion and EMT by targeting ZEB2. Our data therefore suggest that miR-200c may be used to develop novel early-stage diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TNBC.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2 / genetics
  • Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • MIRN200 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Repressor Proteins
  • ZEB2 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2