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Molecular Cancer
Published in: Molecular Cancer 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Dichotomy effects of Akt signaling in breast cancer

Authors: Zhengang Peng, Jennifer Chao Weber, Zhaosheng Han, Rulong Shen, Wenchao Zhou, James R Scott, Michael WY Chan, Huey-Jen L Lin

Published in: Molecular Cancer | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

The oncogenic roles contributed by the Akt/PKB kinase family remain controversial and presumably depend on cell context, but are perceived to be modulated by an interplay and net balance between various isoforms. This study is intended to decipher whether distinct Akt kinase isoforms exert either redundant or unique functions in regulating neoplastic features of breast cancer cells, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell motility, and stem/progenitor cell expansion.

Results

We demonstrate that overactivation of Akt signaling in nonmalignant MCF10A cells and in primary cultures of normal human mammary epithelial tissue results in previously unreported inhibitory effects on EMT, cell motility and stem/progenitor cell expansion. Importantly, this effect is largely redundant and independent of Akt isoform types. However, using a series of isogenic cell lines derived from MCF-10A cells but exhibiting varying stages of progressive tumorigenesis, we observe that this inhibition of neoplastic behavior can be reversed in epithelial cells that have advanced to a highly malignant state. In contrast to the tumor suppressive properties of Akt, activated Akt signaling in MCF10A cells can rescue cell viability upon treatment with cytotoxic agents. This feature is regarded as tumor-promoting.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that Akt signaling conveys novel dichotomy effects in which its oncogenic properties contributes mainly to sustaining cell viability, as opposed to the its tumor suppressing effects, which are mediated by repressing EMT, cell motility, and stem/progenitor cell expansion. While the former exerts a tumor-enhancing effect, the latter merely acts as a safeguard by restraining epithelial cells at the primary sites until metastatic spread can be moved forward, a process that is presumably dictated by the permissive tumor microenvironment or additional oncogenic insults.
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Metadata
Title
Dichotomy effects of Akt signaling in breast cancer
Authors
Zhengang Peng
Jennifer Chao Weber
Zhaosheng Han
Rulong Shen
Wenchao Zhou
James R Scott
Michael WY Chan
Huey-Jen L Lin
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Cancer / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1476-4598
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-4598-11-61

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