microRNAs and EMT in mammary cells and breast cancer.
MicroRNAs are master regulators of gene expression in many biological and pathological processes, including mammary gland development and breast cancer. The differentiation program termed the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves changes in a number of microRNAs. Some of these microRNAs have been shown to control cellular plasticity through the suppression of EMT-inducers or to influence cellular phenotype through the suppression of genes involved in defining the epithelial and mesenchymal cell states. This has led to the suggestion that microRNAs maybe a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer. In this review, we will discuss microRNAs that are involved in EMT in mammary cells and breast cancer.
Wright
Josephine A
JA
Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. josephine.wright@health.sa.gov.au
Richer
Jennifer K
JK
Goodall
Gregory J
GJ
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000556:secondary; D054337:Cell Dedifferentiation; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs