Bcl-2 promotes metastasis through the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the BCap37 medullary breast cancer cell line

Oncology Letters
Chengyong DuPeifen Fu

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer is one of the major types of cancer in women. However, despite being the focus of considerable research efforts, its molecular mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. The B-cell lymphoma/leukemia gene-2 (Bcl-2) protein is well known for its role in inhibiting programmed cell death/apoptosis. However, little is known concerning its function in cell invasion and migration. In the present study, cell migration and invasion assays revealed that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein induced migration and invasion without affecting cell proliferation in the BCap37 breast cancer cell line. In addition, it was found that the overexpression of Bcl-2 in BCap37 cells increased metastasis to the lung in a mouse model. Using western blotting and RT q-PCR analysis, it was demonstrated that the overexpression of Bcl-2 inhibited the expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, whereas it increased the levels of mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin. Therefore, the results suggested that Bcl-2 may induce cellular metastasis in breast cancer via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Citations

Feb 11, 2021·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Miray TurkGizem Dinler Doganay

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
transfection
light microscopy
xenografts

Software Mentioned

GraphPad Prism
Adobe Photoshop
Image Lab

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cell Migration in Cancer and Metastasis

Migration of cancer cells into surrounding tissue and the vasculature is an initial step in tumor metastasis. Discover the latest research on cell migration in cancer and metastasis here.

BCL-2 Family Proteins

BLC-2 family proteins are a group that share the same homologous BH domain. They play many different roles including pro-survival signals, mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and removal or damaged cells. They are often regulated by phosphorylation, affecting their catalytic activity. Here is the latest research on BCL-2 family proteins.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis

Breast Invasive Carcinoma (Keystone)

Invasive breast cancers indicate a spread into breast tissues and lymph nodes. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to breast invasive carcinomas.

Cell Migration

Cell migration is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, cancer metastasis, blood vessel formation and remoulding, tissue regeneration, immune surveillance and inflammation. Here is the latest research.

B-Cell Leukemia (Keystone)

B-cell leukemia includes various types of lymphoid leukemia that affect B cells. Here is the latest research on B-cell leukemia.

Apoptosis in Cancer

Apoptosis is an important mechanism in cancer. By evading apoptosis, tumors can continue to grow without regulation and metastasize systemically. Many therapies are evaluating the use of pro-apoptotic activation to eliminate cancer growth. Here is the latest research on apoptosis in cancer.

Cadherins and Catenins

Cadherins (named for "calcium-dependent adhesion") are a type of cell adhesion molecule (CAM) that is important in the formation of adherens junctions to bind cells with each other. Catenins are a family of proteins found in complexes with cadherin cell adhesion molecules of animal cells: alpha-catenin can bind to β-catenin and can also bind actin. β-catenin binds the cytoplasmic domain of some cadherins. Discover the latest research on cadherins and catenins here.

Breast Invasive Carcinoma

Invasive breast cancers indicate a spread into breast tissues and lymph nodes. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to breast invasive carcinomas.

B-Cell Lymphoma

B-cell lymphomas include lymphomas that affect B cells. This subtype of cancer accounts for over 80% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the US. Here is the latest research.