Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies
09:01

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies

Published on: July 3, 2025

1.1K

CYP4Z1 3'UTR represses migration of human breast cancer cells

Bingyu Wang1, Lufeng Zheng1, Jinjiang Chou1

  • 1School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|August 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The CYP4Z1 3'UTR suppresses breast cancer cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It acts as a ceRNA for E-cadherin, offering a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Breast cancer cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are critical processes in tumor progression and metastasis.
  • The role of CYP4Z1 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) in regulating these processes remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional role of CYP4Z1 3'UTR in breast cancer cell migration and EMT.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CYP4Z1 3'UTR influences EMT-related protein expression.
  • To identify potential regulatory interactions between CYP4Z1 3'UTR, microRNAs, and key cancer-associated genes.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of CYP4Z1 3'UTR in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.
  • Cell migration and adhesion assays.
  • Western blot analysis for EMT-related proteins (Vimentin, MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin).
  • Luciferase reporter assays and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess miRNA targeting.
  • Analysis of CYP4Z1 3'UTR as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA).

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of CYP4Z1 3'UTR significantly suppressed migration and adhesion of breast cancer cells.
  • CYP4Z1 3'UTR modulated EMT by down-regulating mesenchymal markers (Vimentin, MMP-2, MMP-9) and up-regulating epithelial marker (E-cadherin).
  • Luciferase and qRT-PCR assays confirmed miR-9 as a targeting miRNA for CYP4Z1 3'UTR, and CYP4Z1 3'UTR repressed E-cadherin expression in a miRNA-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

  • CYP4Z1 3'UTR acts as a suppressor of breast cancer cell migration and EMT.
  • The mechanism involves CYP4Z1 3'UTR functioning as a ceRNA for E-cadherin, potentially mediated by miR-9.
  • These findings highlight a novel regulatory pathway linking CYP4Z1 and E-cadherin, suggesting therapeutic potential for targeting CYP4Z1 3'UTR in breast cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Breast cancerCYP4Z1EMTMicroRNAMigration

More Related Videos

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System10:51

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System

Published on: April 23, 2021

4.7K
Experimental Generation of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts CAFs from Human Mammary Fibroblasts15:43

Experimental Generation of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts CAFs from Human Mammary Fibroblasts

Published on: October 25, 2011

24.1K

Related Concept Videos

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration01:21

Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration

Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon...
6.1K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
3.4K
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
7.2K
Cell Migration01:09

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
19.0K