Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
10:36

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer

Published on: March 17, 2016

10.6K

circAR-E2E4-miR-665-STAT3 axis is a potential regulatory network in triple-negative breast cancer

Hao Xu1,2, Mengdie Fang1, Bowen Zuo1

  • 1School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, China.

Heliyon
|January 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies circAR-E2E4 as a novel circular RNA (circRNA) that promotes triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression by regulating the miR-665-STAT3 axis. This axis offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for TNBC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in various cancers.
  • The specific roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and molecular mechanism of a novel circRNA, circAR-E2E4, in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
  • To identify the regulatory network involving circAR-E2E4, its downstream targets, and its impact on TNBC development.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and characterization of circAR-E2E4 derived from and regulated by the androgen receptor (AR).
  • CCK-8 assay to assess the effect of circAR-E2E4 on TNBC cell proliferation.
  • Bioinformatic prediction and experimental validation of miRNA (miR-665) and target gene (STAT3) interactions.
  • Analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI), hub gene screening, correlation, and survival analyses.

Main Results:

  • circAR-E2E4 was identified as a novel circRNA involved in TNBC progression.
  • circAR-E2E4 significantly regulates TNBC cell proliferation.
  • The circAR-E2E4-miR-665-STAT3 axis was constructed, with STAT3 identified as a key downstream target.
  • Knockdown of circAR-E2E4 decreased STAT3 expression, confirming the regulatory pathway.

Conclusions:

  • The circAR-E2E4-miR-665-STAT3 regulatory axis plays a crucial role in TNBC progression.
  • This axis represents a promising diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target for future TNBC treatments.
Keywords:
Androgen receptorCircular RNASTAT3Triple-negative breast cancermicroRNA

More Related Videos

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies09:01

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

Published on: July 3, 2025

186
Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

13.2K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
3.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR 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...
3.8K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.4K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.1K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
7.5K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
7.6K