miR-520b regulates migration of breast cancer cells by targeting hepatitis B X-interacting protein and interleukin-8

J Biol Chem. 2011 Apr 15;286(15):13714-22. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.204131. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

MicroRNAs play important roles in tumor metastasis. Recently, we reported that the level of miR-520b is inversely related to the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-520b in breast cancer cell migration. We found that miR-520b suppressed the migration of breast cancer cells with high metastatic potential, including MDA-MB-231 and LM-MCF-7 cells, although the inhibition of miR-520b enhanced the migration of low metastatic potential MCF-7 cells. We further discovered that miR-520b directly targets the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of either hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) or interleukin-8 (IL-8), which has been reported to contribute to cell migration. Surprisingly, tissue array assays showed that 75% (38:49) and 94% (36:38) of breast cancer tissues and metastatic lymph tissues, respectively, were positive for HBXIP expression. Moreover, overexpression of HBXIP was able to promote the migration of MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, HBXIP was able to regulate IL-8 transcription by NF-κB, suggesting that the two target genes of miR-520b are functionally connected. In addition, we found that miR-520b could indirectly regulate IL-8 transcription by targeting HBXIP. Thus, we conclude that miR-520b is involved in regulating breast cancer cell migration by targeting HBXIP and IL-8 via a network in which HBXIP promotes migration by stimulating NF-κB-mediated IL-8 expression. These studies point to HBXIP as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • Interleukin-8
  • LAMTOR5 protein, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Neoplasm