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The Role of miR-206 in the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Induced Repression of Estrogen Receptor- (ER) Signaling and a Luminal Phenotype in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Department of Cell Biology (B.D.A., B.A.W.), University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-3505; and Department of Biology (D.M.C.), Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut 06117-2791

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Bruce White, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-3505. E-mail: BWhite{at}nso2.uchc.edu.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)/MAPK signaling can induce a switch in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, from an estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, Luminal-A phenotype, to an ER-negative, Basal-like phenotype. Although mechanisms for this switch remain obscure, Basal-like cancers are typically high grade and confer a poorer clinical prognosis. We previously reported that miR-206 and ER repress each other’s expression in MCF-7 cells in a double-negative feedback loop. We show herein that miR-206 coordinately targets mRNAs encoding the coactivator proteins steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 and SRC-3, and the transcription factor GATA-3, all of which contribute to estrogenic signaling and a Luminal-A phenotype. Overexpression of miR-206 repressed estrogen-mediated responses in MCF-7 cells, even in the presence of ER encoded by an mRNA lacking a 3'-untranslated region, suggesting miR-206 affects estrogen signaling by targeting mRNAs encoding ER-associated coregulatory proteins. Furthermore, EGF treatments enhanced miR-206 levels in MCF-7 cells and ER-negative, EGFR-positive MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas EGFR small interfering RNA, or PD153035, an EGFR inhibitor, or U0126, a MAPK kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced miR-206 levels in MDA-MB-231 cells. Blocking EGF-induced enhancement of miR-206 with antagomiR-206 abrogated the EGF-inhibitory effect on ER, SRC-1, and SRC-3 levels, and on estrogen response element-luciferase activity, indicating that EGFR signaling represses estrogenic responses in MCF-7 cells by enhancing miR-206 activity. Elevated miR-206 levels in MCF-7 cells ultimately resulted in reduced cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced expression of multiple estrogen-responsive genes. In conclusion, miR-206 contributes to EGFR-mediated abrogation of estrogenic responses in MCF-7 cells, contributes to a Luminal-A- to Basal-like phenotypic switch, and may be a measure of EGFR response within Basal-like breast tumors.

NURSA Molecule Pages Link:

Nuclear Receptors:   ERα

Coregulators:   SRC-1  |  AIB1

Ligands:   17β-Estradiol