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NCOA1 Directly Targets M-CSF1 Expression to Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis

Li Qin1, Ye-Lin Wu2, Michael J Toneff1

  • 1Authors' Affiliations: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine;

Cancer Research
|April 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear coactivator NCOA1 promotes breast cancer metastasis by upregulating CSF1, enhancing macrophage recruitment. Silencing NCOA1 reduces metastasis, identifying a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Nuclear coactivator NCOA1 (SRC-1) overexpression is linked to breast cancer recurrence and endocrine therapy resistance.
  • The role of NCOA1 in mammary gland morphogenesis and carcinogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of NCOA1 overexpression on mammary gland (MG) morphogenesis and carcinogenesis.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which NCOA1 influences breast cancer cell metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of MMTV-hNCOA1 transgenic [Tg(NCOA1)] mice.
  • Analysis of NCOA1's effect on MG morphology and tumor formation in transgenic models.
  • Mechanistic studies involving gene expression analysis, protein recruitment assays, and assessment of macrophage recruitment and metastasis.
  • Correlation analysis of NCOA1 and CSF1 levels with clinical parameters in a cohort of 453 human breast tumors.

Main Results:

  • NCOA1 overexpression did not alter MG morphology or tumor-forming capability in transgenic mice.
  • NCOA1 overexpression significantly increased circulating breast cancer cells and lung metastasis efficiency.
  • NCOA1 and c-Fos were recruited to the CSF1 promoter, upregulating CSF1 expression, enhancing macrophage recruitment, and promoting metastasis.
  • Silencing NCOA1 decreased CSF1 expression, macrophage recruitment, and breast cancer cell metastasis.
  • NCOA1 and CSF1 levels positively correlated with disease recurrence, higher tumor grade, and poor prognosis in human breast tumors.

Conclusions:

  • NCOA1 promotes breast cancer metastasis through an NCOA1/AP-1/CSF1 regulatory axis.
  • This axis enhances macrophage recruitment, contributing to metastatic progression.
  • The NCOA1/AP-1/CSF1 pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting breast cancer metastasis.

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