Argonaute-2 expression is regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and correlates with a transformed phenotype in breast cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: Argonaute (Ago) 2 is the catalytic engine of mammalian RNA interference, but little is known concerning the regulation of Ago2 by cell-signaling pathways. In this study we show that expression of Ago2, but not Ago1, Ago3, or Ago4, is elevated in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha-negative (ERalpha(-)) vs. ERalpha-positive (ERalpha+) breast cancer cell lines, and in ERalpha(-) breast tumors. In MCF-7 cells the low level of Ago2 was found to be dependent upon active ERalpha/estrogen signaling. Interestingly, the high expression of Ago2 in ERalpha(-) cells was severely blunted by inhibition of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor/MAPK signaling pathway, using either a pharmacological MAPK kinase inhibitor, U0126, or a small interfering RNA directed against EGF receptor. Half-life studies usin

SUBMITTER: Adams BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2630894 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature