CCAAT-displacement protein/cut homeobox transcription factor (CUX1) represses estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) in triple-negative breast cancer cells and can be antagonized by muscadine grape skin extract (MSKE)

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 9;14(4):e0214844. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214844. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Triple-Negative Breast Cancers (TNBCs) are the most difficult to treat subtype of breast cancer and are often associated with high nuclear expression of Snail and Cathepsin L (Cat L) protease. We have previously shown that Snail can increase Cat L expression/activity in prostate and breast cancer cells. This study investigated the role of CUX1 (a downstream substrate of Cat L) in TNBC. We showed that Cat L and CUX1 were highly expressed in TNBC patient tissue/cell lines, as compared to ER-positive samples, using cBioportal data and western blot/zymography analyses. Additionally, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that CUX1 directly bound to estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) promoter in MDA-MB-468, a representative TNBC cell line, and that CUX1 siRNA could restore ER-α transcription and protein expression. Furthermore, Snail and CUX1 expression in various TNBC cell lines was inhibited by muscadine grape skin extract (MSKE, a natural grape product rich in anthocyanins) or Cat L inhibitor (Z-FY-CHO) leading to decreased cell invasion and migration. MSKE decreased cell viability and increased expression of apoptotic markers in MDA-MB-468 cells, with no effect on non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. MSKE also decreased CUX1 binding to ER-α promoter and restored ER-α expression in TNBC cells, while both MSKE and CUX1 siRNA restored sensitivity to estradiol and 4-hydoxytamoxifen as shown by increased cell viability. Therefore, CUX1 activated by Snail-Cat L signaling may contribute to TNBC via ER-α repression, and may be a viable target for TNBC using natural products such as MSKE that targets cancer and not normal cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • CCAAT-Binding Factor / genetics*
  • Cathepsin L / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Vitis / chemistry*

Substances

  • CCAAT-Binding Factor
  • CUX1 protein, human
  • ESR1 protein, human
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Cathepsin L