Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
08:47
Monitoring eIF4F Assembly by Measuring eIF4E-eIF4G Interaction in Live Cells
Published on: May 1, 2020
eIF4F suppression in breast cancer affects maintenance and progression
1Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Oncogene
|April 10, 2012
Summary
Elevated eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) drives breast cancer progression. Suppressing the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/eIF4F pathway inhibits tumor growth, metastasis, and invasion, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Elevated eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is common in human cancers.
- High eIF4E levels are linked to poor prognosis in some cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in breast cancer progression.
- To determine the impact of targeting the mTOR/eIF4F pathway on breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transgenic and allograft breast cancer models.
- Assessed the effects of suppressing mTOR activity and eIF4E/eIF4A levels and activity.
- Evaluated breast cancer cell invasion and migration in vitro.
- Measured the translation of specific mRNAs (VEGF, MMP9, cyclin D1).
Main Results:
- Increased mTOR signaling significantly contributes to breast cancer progression in vivo.
- Suppression of mTOR, eIF4E, and eIF4A delayed tumor progression and pulmonary metastasis.
- Inhibition of eIF4E reduced breast cancer cell invasion and migration.
- eIF4E suppression inhibited the translation of VEGF, MMP9, and cyclin D1 mRNAs.
Conclusions:
- The mTOR/eIF4F axis is crucial for breast cancer maintenance and progression.
- Targeting the mTOR/eIF4F pathway shows therapeutic potential for breast cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
08:48An In Vitro Dormancy Model of Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer in the Bone Marrow: A Tool for Molecular Mechanism Studies and Hypothesis Generation
Published on: June 30, 2015
09:01Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies
Published on: July 3, 2025
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...