Constitutive expression of RbAp46 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mammary epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a component of several morphogenetic and organogenetic processes during embryonic development. EMT is a strictly regulated process and its aberrant regulation may contribute to cancer progression and metastasis. The retinoblastoma suppressor (Rb)-associated protein 46 (RbAp46) is a component of the histone-modifying and -remodeling complexes.


METHODS
Western blot and immunofluorescent assays with epithelial and mesenchymal markers and cell migration and invasion assays were employed.


RESULTS
Mammary epithelial cells, MCF10AT3B, that express recombinant RbAp46 exhibited an EMT associated with the down-regulation of epithelial markers and up-regulation of mesenchymal markers, as well as an increased migration and invasion phenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Rbap46 may be an important player in EMT during embryonic development. Dysregulated RbAp46 expression may contribute to cancer progression and metastasis.
Li
Guan-Cheng
GC
Zhuhai Campus, Zunyi Medical College, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519041, PR China.
Wang
Zhao-Yi
ZY
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D056524:Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 7
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C490746:RBBP7 protein, human; C096378:Rbbp7 protein, mouse; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D056524:Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 7