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Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 regulates estrogen receptor 1 function in breast cancer
M-H Kang1, K J Jeong2, W Y Kim3
1Department of Convergence Medicine, Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 (MSI2) has important roles in human cancer. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which MSI2 alters breast cancer pathophysiology have not been clearly identified. Here we demonstrate that MSI2 directly regulates estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), which is a well-known therapeutic target and has been shown to reflect clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Based on gene expression data analysis, we found that MSI2 expression was highly enriched in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and that MSI2 expression was significantly correlated with ESR1 expression, including expression of ESR1 downstream target genes. In addition, MSI2 levels were associated with clinical outcomes. MSI2 influenced breast cancer cell growth by altering ESR1 function. MSI2 alters ESR1 by binding specific sites in ESR1 RNA and by increasing ESR1 protein stability. Taken together, our findings identified a novel regulatory mechanism of MSI2 as an upstream regulator of ESR1 and revealed the clinical relevance of the RNA-binding protein MSI2 in breast cancer.
Insights
Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 (MSI2) directly regulates estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in breast cancer. This finding reveals a novel mechanism linking MSI2 to ER-positive breast cancer progression and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Musashi RNA-binding protein 2 (MSI2) plays a role in human cancers, but its specific regulatory mechanisms in breast cancer are unclear.
- Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) is a key therapeutic target in breast cancer, and its expression correlates with clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of MSI2 in breast cancer pathophysiology.
- To investigate the direct relationship between MSI2 and ESR1 in breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression data analysis to assess MSI2 and ESR1 correlation.
- Functional studies to determine MSI2's impact on breast cancer cell growth and ESR1 function.
- RNA-binding assays to identify MSI2 binding sites on ESR1 RNA.
Main Results:
- MSI2 expression is enriched in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer and correlates significantly with ESR1 expression and its downstream targets.
- MSI2 levels are associated with clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients.
- MSI2 directly binds to ESR1 RNA, enhancing ESR1 protein stability and influencing breast cancer cell growth.
Conclusions:
- MSI2 acts as a novel upstream regulator of ESR1 in breast cancer.
- The RNA-binding protein MSI2 has significant clinical relevance in breast cancer, particularly in ER-positive subtypes.
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