ΔNp63α Induces Quiescence and Downregulates the BRCA1 Pathway in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Luminal Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF7 but not in Other Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Despite apparent resection of tumors, breast cancer patients often suffer relapse due to remnant dormant tumor cells. Although quiescence of cancer stem cells is thought as one of the mechanisms regulating dormancy, the mechanism underlying quiescence is unclear. Since ΔNp63α, an isoform of p51/p63, is crucial in the maintenance of stem cells within mammary epithelium, we investigated its roles in the regulation of dormancy in normal and malignant breast cells. Inducible expression of ΔNp63α in MCF7 estrogen receptor positive (ER+) luminal breast cancer cells led to quiescence and acquisition of progenitor-like properties.

Source: Molecular Oncology - November 24, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ruhul Amin, Yuiko Morita-Fujimura, Hiroshi Tawarayama, Kentaro Semba, Natsuko Chiba, Manabu Fukumoto, Shuntaro Ikawa Source Type: research