Targeting ROR2 homooligomerization disrupts ROR2-dependent signaling and suppresses stem-like cell properties of human breast adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Breast cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are enriched following treatment with chemotherapy, and posited as having a high level of plasticity and enhanced tumor-initiation capacity, which can enable cancer relapse. Here, we show that such features are shared by breast cancer (BCA) cells that express receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (ROR2), which is expressed primarily during embryogenesis and by various cancers. We find that Wnt5a can induce ROR2 homooligomerization to activate noncanonical Wnt signaling and enhance tumor-initiation capacity of BCA cells. Molecular analysis reveals that the cysteine-rich domain and transmembrane domain are required for ROR2 homooligomerization to activate ROR2. Treatment with a newly generated monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for ROR2 can block

SUBMITTER: Leng F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature