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Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
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Low BOK Expression Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Migration via the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Breast
Ling Liu1, Tiantian He1, Zhen Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Low B-cell lymphoma 2-related ovarian killer (BOK) expression promotes breast cancer migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating the Wnt pathway. BOK may be a therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-related ovarian killer (BOK) protein family's role in breast cancer pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- BOK shares homology with pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and BAK and is implicated in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of BOK in breast cancer progression, specifically its role in cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- To investigate the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in BOK-mediated regulation of breast cancer cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Investigated BOK's effect on breast cancer cell migration and EMT induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and MG132.
- Utilized BOK silencing and overexpression techniques to assess impacts on EMT markers.
- Employed RNA-sequencing and Western blotting to analyze the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway.
Main Results:
- BOK inhibited TGF-β-induced breast cancer cell migration and EMT.
- Interfering with BOK reversed MG132's inhibitory effects on migration and EMT.
- BOK silencing promoted EMT markers, while BOK overexpression inhibited EMT and migration.
- The Wnt signaling pathway was confirmed to be involved in BOK's regulation of EMT.
Conclusions:
- Low BOK expression promotes breast cancer EMT and migration via activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.
- BOK plays a crucial role in suppressing breast cancer progression.
- BOK represents a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
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