Abstract B21: DNp63 promotes stem cell activity in mammary gland development and basal-like breast cancer by enhancing Fzd7 expression and Wnt signaling

Emerging evidence suggests that cancer is populated and maintained by tumor initiating cells (TICs) with stem-like properties similar to that of adult tissue stem cells. Despite recent advances, the molecular regulatory mechanisms that may be shared between normal and malignant stem cells remain poorly understood. Here we show that the DNp63 isoform of the Trp63 transcription factor promotes normal mammary stem cell (MaSC) activity by increasing the expression of the Wnt receptor Fzd7 and thereby enhancing Wnt signaling. Importantly, Fzd7-dependent enhancement of Wnt signaling by DNp63 also governs tumor initiating activity of the basal subtype of breast cancer. These findings establish DNp63 as a key regulator of stem cells in both normal and malignant mammary tissues and provide direct evidence that breast cancer TICs and normal MaSCs share common regulatory mechanisms.Citation Format: Rumela Chakrabarti, Satrajit Sinha, Yibin Kang. DNp63 promotes stem cell activity in mammary gland development and basal-like breast cancer by enhancing Fzd7 expression and Wnt signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(4_Suppl):Abstract nr B21.
Source: Molecular Cancer Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Stem Cell of Origin: Poster Presentations - Proffered Abstracts Source Type: research