The EGFR/miR-338-3p/EYA2 axis controls breast tumor growth and lung metastasis.

ABSTRACT: Dysregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis. However, its relevant downstream effectors are still limited. Here, we show that EGFR promotes breast tumor growth and metastasis by downregulating the tumor suppressor micoRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) and activating the EYA2 (EYA transcriptional coactivator and phosphatase 2) oncoprotein. EGFR represses miR-338-3p expression largely through HIF1α transcription factor. miR-338-3p inhibits EYA2 expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of EYA2. EGFR increases EYA2 expression via HIF1α repression of miR-338-3p. Through the miR-338-3p/EYA2 pathway, EGFR increases breast cancer cell growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and lung metastasis in vitro

SUBMITTER: Liang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5550870 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature