Claudin 1 Expression Levels Affect miRNA Dynamics in Human Basal-Like Breast Cancer Cells

DNA Cell Biol. 2016 Jul;35(7):328-39. doi: 10.1089/dna.2015.3188. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Abstract

Deemed a putative tumor suppressor in breast cancer, the tight junction protein claudin 1 has now been shown to be highly expressed in the basal-like molecular subtype. Moreover, recent in vitro studies show that claudin 1 can regulate breast cancer cell motility and proliferation. Herein, we investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is associated with alterations in the level of claudin 1. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified seven miRNAs (miR-9-5p, miR-9-3p, let-7c, miR-127-3p, miR-99a-5p, miR-129-5p, and miR-146a-5p) that were deregulated as a consequence of claudin 1 overexpression in the MDA-MB231 human breast cancer (HBC) cell line. Most of these miRNAs have been associated with tumor suppression in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. Moreover, through gene expression profiling analysis, we identified epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes, including platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRB) and cadherin 1 (CDH1, E cadherin), whose downregulation correlated with claudin 1 overexpression. Collectively, we show for the first time that in HBC, claudin 1 can alter the dynamics of a number of miRNAs involved in tumor progression. Our data suggest that the dysregulated expression of these miRNAs, in conjunction with the high claudin 1 levels, could serve as a useful biomarker that identifies a subset of tumors within the poorly characterized basal-like subtype of breast cancer. Further studies are warranted to determine the role of these miRNAs in facilitating the function of claudin 1 in breast cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Claudin-1 / genetics*
  • Claudin-1 / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / genetics*

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Claudin-1
  • MicroRNAs