title: ERα, microRNAs, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer.
abstract: The most common form of breast cancer, luminal A, is estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive and epithelial, but nevertheless can metastasize. The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is probably the first step in the metastasis of epithelial cancers. We discuss the characteristics of EMT, including factors that induce EMT, and the relationship of EMT to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Estrogen/ERα signaling maintains an epithelial phenotype and suppresses EMT. An overview of microRNAs in breast cancer is presented, including how microRNA biogenesis is altered in cancer and regulated by ERα. We also discuss the role of the miR-200 family in opposing EMT. Finally, we discuss specific microRNAs that target ERα and regulate EMT in breast cancer, and the role of these microRNAs in breast cancer progression.
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph College, Department of Biology, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA.
authors.forename: Irene K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Guttilla
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000502:physiology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000473:pathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C506487:ESR1 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; C546087:MIRN206 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D004958:Estradiol