14-3-3ζ Turns TGF-β's Function from Tumor Suppressor to Metastasis Promoter in Breast Cancer by Contextual Changes of Smad Partners from p53 to Gli2

Jia Xu, Sunil Acharya, Ozgur Sahin, Qingling Zhang, Yohei Saito, Jun Yao, Hai Wang, Ping Li, Lin Zhang, Frank J. Lowery, Wen Ling Kuo, Yi Xiao, Joe Edward Ensor, Jr., Aysegul A. Sahin, Xiang H F Zhang, Mien Chie Hung, Jitao David Zhang, Dihua Yu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) functions as a tumor suppressor in premalignant cells but as a metastasis promoter in cancer cells. The dichotomous functions of TGF-β are proposed to be dictated by different partners of its downstream effector Smads. However, the mechanism for the contextual changes of Smad partners remained undefined. Here, we demonstrate that 14-3-3ζ destabilizes p53, a Smad partner in premalignant mammary epithelial cells, by downregulating 14-3-3σ, thus turning off TGF-β's tumor suppression function. Conversely, 14-3-3ζ stabilizes Gli2 in breast cancer cells, and Gli2 partners with Smads to activate PTHrP and promote TGF-β-induced bone metastasis. The 14-3-3ζ-driven contextual changes of Smad partners from p53 to Gli2 may serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of TGF-β-mediated cancer progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)177-192
Number of pages16
JournalCancer Cell
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 9 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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