Pseudogene CYP4Z2P 3'UTR promotes angiogenesis in breast cancer

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2014 Oct 24;453(3):545-51. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.09.112. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

Abstract

Pseudogenes have long been marked as "false" genes, which are similar with real genes but have no apparent function. The 3'UTR is well-known to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Our recent evidence, however, indicates novel functional roles of pseudogene CYP4Z2P 3'UTR (Z2P-UTR). We found that ectopic expression of Z2P-UTR in breast cancer cells significantly increased the expression of VEGF-A without affecting cell proliferation in vitro. Meanwhile, conditioned medium (CM) from Z2P-UTR overexpression cells enhanced proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVEC, and promoted angiogenesis in ex vivo models. Also, CM increased the expression of VEGFR2 in HUVEC. Our data suggest that Z2P-UTR can promote breast cancer angiogenesis partly via paracrine pathway of VEGF-A/VEGFR2.

Keywords: 3′UTR; Angiogenesis; Breast cancer; CYP4Z2P; VEGF-A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chick Embryo
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics*
  • DNA Primers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Pseudogenes*
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System