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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Androgen receptor and heat shock protein 27 co-regulate the malignant potential of molecular apocrine breast cancer

Authors: Xiaozhen Liu, Changyun Feng, Junjun Liu, Lu Cao, Guomin Xiang, Fang Liu, Shuling Wang, Jiao Jiao, Yun Niu

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The most striking feature of molecular apocrine breast cancer (MABC) is the expression of androgen receptor (AR). We report here the mechanism of the AR in regulating the behavior of MABC.

Methods

The MABC cell line, MDA-MB-453, and the nonMABC cell line, MCF7, were used in this study. The effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) on cell proliferation was quantified using the cell counter kit-8 (CCK8) and clonogenic assays in vitro and by a xenograft tumor model in vivo. The expression of the AR and HSP27 was analyzed using western blot, qPCR, and immunofluorescence assays. Complexes of the AR and HSP27 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).

Results

In MDA-MB-453 cells, DHT promoted cell proliferation and stimulated AR and HSP27 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, whereas, it inhibited MCF7 cell growth, and only the AR translocated into the nucleus. HSP27 knock-down decreased the proliferative ability of MDA-MB-453 cells, which could be rescued by DHT, while HSP27 and DHT had synergistic effects on MCF7 cells. HSP27 phosphorylation was a prerequisite for AR translocation into the nucleus, especially phosphorylation on serine 82. In addition, DHT stimulated the tumorigenic and metastatic capacities of MDA-MB-453 cells, while HSP27 knock-down decreased the rate of tumor formation and induced apoptosis in cells.

Conclusions

The results suggest that HSP27 assists the AR in regulating the malignant behavior of MABC, and these findings might be helpful in the treatment of MABC.
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Metadata
Title
Androgen receptor and heat shock protein 27 co-regulate the malignant potential of molecular apocrine breast cancer
Authors
Xiaozhen Liu
Changyun Feng
Junjun Liu
Lu Cao
Guomin Xiang
Fang Liu
Shuling Wang
Jiao Jiao
Yun Niu
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-018-0762-y

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