Tumor suppressor FRMD3 controls mammary epithelial cell fate determination via notch signaling pathway

Sci Adv. 2024 Jul 5;10(27):eadk8958. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8958. Epub 2024 Jul 3.

Abstract

The luminal-to-basal transition in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) is accompanied by changes in epithelial cell lineage plasticity; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that deficiency of Frmd3 inhibits mammary gland lineage development and induces stemness of MECs, subsequently leading to the occurrence of triple-negative breast cancer. Loss of Frmd3 in PyMT mice results in a luminal-to-basal transition phenotype. Single-cell RNA sequencing of MECs indicated that knockout of Frmd3 inhibits the Notch signaling pathway. Mechanistically, FERM domain-containing protein 3 (FRMD3) promotes the degradation of Disheveled-2 by disrupting its interaction with deubiquitinase USP9x. FRMD3 also interrupts the interaction of Disheveled-2 with CK1, FOXK1/2, and NICD and decreases Disheveled-2 phosphorylation and nuclear localization, thereby impairing Notch-dependent luminal epithelial lineage plasticity in MECs. A low level of FRMD3 predicts poor outcomes for breast cancer patients. Together, we demonstrated that FRMD3 is a tumor suppressor that functions as an endogenous activator of the Notch signaling pathway, facilitating the basal-to-luminal transformation in MECs.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Epithelial Cells* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / cytology
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Notch* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Membrane Proteins