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Crosstalk of TGF-β and Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer

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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathways are major regulators during mammary gland development, function and tumorigenesis. Predominantly, they have opposing roles in proliferation and apoptosis. While ERα signaling supports growth and differentiation and is antiapoptotic, mammary gland epithelia cells are very sensitive to TGF-β—induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Their regulatory pathways intersect, and ERα blocks TGF-β pathway by multiple means, including direct interactions of its signaling components, Smads. However, relatively little is known of the dysfunction of their interactions in cancer. A better understanding would help to develop new strategies for breast cancer treatment.

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Abbreviations

AF:

Activation function

EMT:

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

ERα:

Estrogen receptor-α

ERβ:

Estrogen receptor-β

HAT:

Histone acetyltransferase

HDAC:

Histone deacetylase

MAPK:

Mitogen activated protein kinase

PI3K:

Phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase

R-Smad:

Receptor regulated Smad

SnoN:

Ski-related novel gene

TAM:

Tamoxifen

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor-β

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Correspondence to Marikki Laiho.

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Financial support: Academy of Finland (grant no. 129699).

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Band, A.M., Laiho, M. Crosstalk of TGF-β and Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 16, 109–115 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-011-9203-7

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