Wnt/ERK/CDK4/6 activation in the partial EMT state coordinates mammary cancer stemness with self-renewal and inhibition of differentiation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The hybrid EMT state is a key driver of tumour regenerative and metastatic potential; however, the mechanism whereby this programme regulates tumour stemness with respect to self-renewal and differentiation remains unclear.

Methods

We isolated epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) (CD104^highCD44^high) and mesenchymal (M) (CD104^low CD44^high) subpopulations from basal-like breast cancer cell lines. These were assayed for tumour-initiating potential and organoid-forming ability, as well as for transcriptional regulators of the hybrid EMT state by RNA and ATAC-sequencing, and their regulation by the Wnt/ERK/CDK4/6 signalling pathway.

Results

E/M cells were endowed with organoid-forming ability as well as by tumour-initiating an

SUBMITTER: Liang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12480652 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature