Abstract 5250: MUC1 expression is induced by Snai1 in an epithelial mesenchymal transition renal model

Accumulating data suggest that epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in cancer progression. Sarcomatoid carcinoma represents a high-grade transformation and an EMT-like pattern. Up to 8% of conventional renal cells cancers (cRCC) present with sarcomatoid carcinoma component that portends a worse prognosis. MUC1, a membrane-bound glycoprotein is known to be over-expressed in cRCC with correlation to prognosis. Indeed, we showed that MUC1 overexpression is correlated with a metastatic phenotype using tissue microarray sampling 27 cRCC of same TNM stage. Also, we demonstrated in a series of 15 RCC with sarcomatoid component, the loss of epithelial markers and the acquisition of mesenchymal markers compared to conventional carcinomatous areas. MUC1 was significantly overexpressed along with Snai1, a major actor of EMT, in sarcomatoid component. So, we hypothesized that MUC1 could be regulated by Snai1. Bioinformatic analyses revealed two Snai1 E-boxes at -84/-72 on MUC1 promoter. Cotransfection studies of MUC1 promoter and Snai1 expression vectors in renal cells lines showed an induction of MUC1 transcriptional activity by luciferase assays. Mutagenesis site-directed of both Snai1 E-boxes in renal cells lines induced loss MUC1 transcriptional activity. By chromatin immunoprecipation assay and gel shift analysis we will demonstrate a direct interaction between Snai1 and MUC1 promoter. In conclusion, all these data revealed that MUC1, usually considered as an epithelial marker, is overexpressed during cancer linked EMT process with a direct regulation by Snai1 suggesting that MUC1 plays a role in renal cancer progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5250. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5250