EZH2 promotes a bi-lineage identity in basal-like breast cancer cells

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms regulating breast cancer differentiation state are poorly understood. Of particular interest are molecular regulators controlling the highly aggressive and poorly differentiated traits of basal-like breast carcinomas. Here we show that the Polycomb factor EZH2 maintains the differentiation state of basal-like breast cancer cells, and promotes the expression of progenitor-associated and basal-lineage genes. Specifically, EZH2 regulates the composition of basal-like breast cancer cell populations by promoting a “bi-lineage” differentiation state, in which cells co-express basal- and luminal-lineage markers. We show that human basal-like breast cancers contain a subpopulation of bi-lineage cells, and that EZH2-deficient cells give rise to tumors with a decreased proportion of s

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Granit RZ 

PROVIDER: S-ECPF-GEOD-36939 | biostudies-other | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other