Small peptide LINC00511-133aa encoded by LINC00511 regulates breast cancer cell invasion and stemness through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

The stemness and invasion of breast cancer cells are key causative factors for tumor relapse and metastasis. The present study aimed to identify whether LINC00511-133aa, a small peptide encoded by LINC00511, could mediate the wnt/β-catenin pathway to control the invasiveness and stemness of breast cancer cells. In this study, LINC00511-133aa and control vector were transfected into breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Afterward,) PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence assays were conducted to assess the expression of the small peptide LINC00511-133aa. Cell proliferative and invasive potentials were subsequently evaluated using CCK8, apoptotic, scratch, and transwell invasion assays. Finally, cancer stem cell-like characteristics were identified by the sphere-forming assay and western blot analysis of the stemness markers (Oct4, Nanog, and SOX2). The results show that the small peptide LINC00511-133aa was determined to be encoded by LINC00511. Transfection with this peptide expedited the invasion ability of breast cancer cells, strengthened their stemness, and limited apoptosis. Finally, LINC00511-133aa activated the wnt/β-catenin pathway. in sum, LINC00511 can encode the small peptide LINC00511-133aa, which can modulate the invasiveness and stemness through the regulation of the wnt/β-catenin pathway.