biostudies-literatureRan RCancer Research UKBreast Cancer NowWellcome Trust2624-2637https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7082223biostudies-literatureUnknown39(12)Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that drives cancer cell plasticity and is thought to play a major role in metastasis. Here we show, using MDA-MB-231 cells as a model, that the plasticity of at least some metastatic breast cancer cells is dependent on the transcriptional co-regulator CBFβ. We demonstrate that CBFβ is essential to maintain the mesenchymal phenotype of triple-negative breast cancer cells and that CBFβ-depleted cells undergo a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and re-organise into acini-like structures, reminiscent of those formed by epithelial breast cells. We subsequently show, using an inducible CBFβ system, that the MET can be reversed, thus demonstrating the plasticity of CBFβ-mediated EMT. Moreover, the MET can be reversed by exprOncogeneA role for CBFβ in maintaining the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer cells.PMC7082223C596/A17196May2013PhD Studentship29799S_1591Ran RShore POttewell PDBlyth KSyamimi Ariffin NPegg HJHolen IHarrison HAyub RDeng WMason SMMastro AfalseA role for CBFβ in maintaining the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer cells.Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that drives cancer cell plasticity and is thought to play a major role in metastasis. Here we show, using MDA-MB-231 cells as a model, that the plasticity of at least some metastatic breast cancer cells is dependent on the transcriptional co-regulator CBFβ. We demonstrate that CBFβ is essential to maintain the mesenchymal phenotype of triple-negative breast cancer cells and that CBFβ-depleted cells undergo a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and re-organise into acini-like structures, reminiscent of those formed by epithelial breast cells. We subsequently show, using an inducible CBFβ system, that the MET can be reversed, thus demonstrating the plasticity of CBFβ-mediated EMT. Moreover, the MET can be reversed by expr2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Mar2025-05-29T20:05:38.487Z2025-05-29T20:05:38.487ZS-EPMC70822233200597610.1038/s41388-020-1170-2