Rac3 induces a molecular pathway triggering breast cancer cell aggressiveness: differences in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines

Conclusions:
This discrepancy between the effects of Rac3 knockdown in the two cell lines could be explained as follows: in the MDA-MB-231 line, the Rac3-dependent aggressiveness of the cancer cells is due to the Rac3/ERK-2/NF-kappaB signaling pathway, which is responsible for MMP-9, interleukin-6, -8 and GRO secretion, as well as the resistance to TNF-induced apoptosis, whereas in the MCF-7 line, this pathway is not functional because of the low expression of NF-kappaB subunits in these cells. Rac3 may be a potent target for inhibiting aggressive breast cancer.

Source: BMC Cancer - February 6, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Caroline GestUlrich JoimelLimin HuangLinda-Louise PritchardAlexandre PetitCharlène DulongCatherine BuquetChao-Quan HuPezhman MirshahiMarc LaurentFrançoise Fauvel-LafèveLionel CazinJean-Pierre VannierHe LuJeannette SoriaHong LiRémi VarinClaudine Soria Source Type: research