Overexpression of the RNA-binding protein HuR impairs tumor growth in triple negative breast cancer associated with deficient angiogenesis [abstract]

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and causes the death of 519,000 people worldwide. Many cancer genes are posttranscriptionally regulated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAs. The RBP HuR binds to the AU-rich (ARE) regions of labile mRNAs, such as proto-oncogenes, stabilizing their mRNA and facilitating their translation into protein. HuR has been described to control genes in multiple areas of the acquired capabilities model of cancer and has been hypothesized to be a tumor-maintenance gene, allowing for cancers to proliferate once they are established. We investigated the role of HuR in aggressive and difficult to treat triple-negative breast cancer.