CBX7 regulates metastasis of basal-like breast cancer through Twist1/EphA2 pathway

• Published in: Translational oncology Vol. 24; p. 101468
• Main Authors: Dai, Tao, Liu, Yiqi, Cao, Renxian, Cao, Jingying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.10.2022; Neoplasia Press; Elsevier
• Subjects: Basal-like breast cancer; CBX7; EphA2; Metastasis; Original Research; Twist1; CBX7; BLBC; IHC; CCK-8; Metastasis; EMT; Basal-like breast cancer; EphA2; Twist1
• ISSN: 1936-5233; 1936-5233
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101468

•CBX7 was down-regulated, while twist and EphA2 were up-regulated in BLBC.•EphA2 or twist silencing inhibited BLBC cell proliferation and metastasis.•Twist bond to EphA2 and increased the expression of EphA2.•CBX7 blocked the binding of twist to EphA2 and inhibited EphA2 expression.•CBX7 regulated BLBC growth and metastasis via Twist/EphA2 axis. Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an important subtype of breast cancer. Twist1 is a key transcription factor in BLBC metastasis, which serves a key role in tumorigenesis. The potential mechanism of Twist1 in BLBC remains to be elucidated. Here, we explored the role and molecular mechanism of Twist1 in BLBC. The levels of CBX7, Twist1 and EphA2 in BLBC tissues and cells were determined by Western blot. ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the interaction between CBX7, Twist1 and EphA2 promoter. The cellular functions were analyzed by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays. Expression of EMT related proteins was analyzed by Western blot. IHC measured the expression of CBX7, Twist1 and EphA2 in tumor tissues. CBX7 was down-regulated in BLBC tissues and cells, whereas Twist1 and EphA2 were up-regulated. Twist1 silencing inhibited the cell migration, invasion and cancer metastasis of BLBC through targeting EphA2 and regulating EphA2 expression. Additionally, CBX7 blocked the binding of Twist1 to EphA2 promoter and inhibited EphA2 expression and suppressed BLBC growth and metastasis via Twist1/EphA2 axis. CBX7 suppresses BLBC growth and metastasis through Twist1/EphA2 pathway. Our study may provide evidence and new therapeutic targets for the comprehensive treatment of BLBC.