FOXJ3 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Motility Through Modulating Snail Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

Background/aim: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite various therapeutic strategies, its impact on the survival rate and quality of life of patients remains limited. The Forkhead Box J3 (FOXJ3) transcription factor has been implicated in various cancers, including lung cancer, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. However, the role of FOXJ3 in breast cancer has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the role of FOXJ3 in breast cancer development, migration, and invasion.

Materials and methods: FOXJ3 expression was analyzed in patient tissues and breast cancer cell lines. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies were performed using MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were conducted, and the effects of FOXJ3 on Snail expression were examined.

Results: FOXJ3 is over-expressed in breast cancer tissues compared to normal counterparts and in various breast cancer cell lines. By modulating FOXJ3 expression in breast cancer cell lines, we observed its influence on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Microarray analysis and subsequent validation showed that FOXJ3 modulates Snail expression, a well-known transcription factor involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Conclusion: FOXJ3 plays a role in cell proliferation, migration, and the regulation of Snail expression and may be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.