17β-Estradiol Enhances Breast Cancer Cell Motility and Invasion via Extra-Nuclear Activation of Actin-Binding Protein Ezrin
2011

Estrogen Enhances Breast Cancer Cell Movement and Invasion

publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Zheng Shuhui, Huang Jinghe, Zhou Kewen, Zhang Chengxi, Xiang Qiuling, Tan Zhi, Wang Tinghuai, Fu Xiaodong

Primary Institution: Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

Hypothesis

The study investigates the effects of 17β-estradiol on ezrin activation and its role in breast cancer cell motility and invasion.

Conclusion

17β-estradiol promotes breast cancer cell movement and invasion by activating ezrin.

Supporting Evidence

  • E2 rapidly enhances ezrin phosphorylation at Thr567 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.
  • E2 enhances horizontal cell migration and invasion of T47-D breast cancer cells in three-dimensional matrices.
  • The signaling cascade involves estrogen receptor interaction with c-Src, activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.
  • Silencing ezrin with siRNAs reverses the effects of E2 on cell migration and invasion.

Takeaway

Estrogen helps breast cancer cells move and spread by turning on a protein called ezrin.

Methodology

The study used T47-D breast cancer cells to examine the effects of 17β-estradiol on ezrin phosphorylation and cell migration/invasion.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022439

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