GPER介导的丹参酮ⅡA抗三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231迁移作用机制研究

摘要 目的：基于体外细胞实验,探索丹参酮ⅡA对三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231迁移的抑制作用及其分子机制。方法：选取三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,利用细胞增殖实验检测丹参酮ⅡA对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的作用,并筛选适宜的药物浓度;应用划痕实验检测丹参酮ⅡA对MDA-MB-231细胞迁移率的影响;Western Blot法检测丹参酮ⅡA对G蛋白偶联雌激素受体（G protein-coupled estrogen receptor,GPER）及基质金属蛋白酶9（Matrix metalloprotein-9,MMP-9）表达的影响。结果：细胞增殖实验结果显示,丹参酮ⅡA可以抑制MDA-MB-231细胞增殖,且呈剂量依赖性（P＜0.05）;划痕实验结果显示,丹参酮ⅡA可以抑制MDA-MB-231细胞迁移,且呈剂量依赖性（P＜0.01）,加入GPER特异性抑制剂G15后迁移率有所上升（P＜0.01）。Western Blot结果显示,丹参酮ⅡA可以显著下调GPER和MMP-9蛋白的表达水平并呈剂量依赖性（P＜0.05）,加入GPER特异性抑制剂G15后,MMP-9表达有所上升（P＜0.01）。结论：丹参酮ⅡA可以抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231迁移,其机制可能与抑制GPER介导的MMP-9表达相关。     

MicroRNA-221/222对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞阿霉素耐药性的影响

目的:探讨微小RNA-221/222(miR-221/222)对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231/阿霉素(DOX)细胞DOX耐药性的影响。方法:采用脂质体法转染miR-221/222抑制物(miR-221/222 inhibitor)至MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞内(Inhibitor组),同时设立空白对照组和转染无关序列的阴性对照组,采用实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测MDA-MB-231细胞株及MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞株的miR-221/222表达水平及转染效率;CCK-8法检测转染48 h后MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞对DOX药物敏感性的变化;流式细胞术(FCM)检测转染MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞的细胞凋亡率;蛋白免疫印迹实验(WB)检测转染后MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞内促凋亡蛋白p53上调凋亡调控因子(PUMA),Bcl2蛋白修饰因子(BMF)以及细胞周期蛋白激酶抑制因子p27(p27Kip1)的表达情况。结果:MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞中的miR-221/222表达水平高于亲本MDA-MB-231细胞(P0.05);MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞转染miR-221/222 inhibitor 96 h后,miR-221/222的表达水平低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P0.05);与空白对照组相比,MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞转染miR-221/222 inhibitor 48h后,DOX继续处理48 h后,细胞的凋亡率明显升高,且细胞内的促凋亡蛋白PUMA,BMF以及p27Kip1的表达均增加(P0.05);DOX对inhibitor组耐药细胞的半数抑制浓度(IC50)显著低于空白对照组细胞及阴性对照组(P0.05)。结论:miR-221/222能够增加MDA-MB-231/DOX细胞对DOX的耐药性,这可能与下调促凋亡蛋白的表达有关;降低miR-221/222水平可诱导MDA-MB-231/DOX凋亡,并且上调促凋亡蛋白的表达,从而部分逆转MDA-MB-231/DOX对DOX的耐药性。     

基于核因子相关因子2/血红素加氧酶-1信号通路探讨异荭草素对乳腺癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响

摘要 目的：探讨异荭草素（ISO）对乳腺癌（BC）细胞恶性生物学行为及核因子相关因子2（Nrf2）/血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）信号通路的影响。方法：体外培养人BC细胞系MDA-MB-231并分组：MDA-MB-231组、MDA-MB-231+ISO组（100 μmol/L ISO处理）、MDA-MB-231+ISO+OE-NC组（转染OE-NC后用100 μmol/L ISO处理）、MDA-MB-231+ISO+OE-Nrf2组（转染OE-Nrf2后用100 μmol/L ISO处理）。采用细胞计数试剂盒-8（CCK-8）检测MDA-MB-231细胞增殖;流式细胞术检测MDA-MB-231细胞周期和凋亡;Transwell实验检测MDA-MB-231细胞的侵袭和迁移能力;Western blot检测Nrf2/HO-1信号通路相关蛋白及凋亡蛋白表达。结果：与MDA-MB-231组相比,MDA-MB-231+ISO组、MDA-MB-231+ISO+OE-NC组细胞活力、S期和G2期细胞比例、迁移和侵袭能力、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（Bcl-2）、Nrf2、HO-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）蛋白水平显著下降（P<0.05）,细胞凋亡率、G1/G0期细胞比例以及Bax、cleaved-Caspase-3蛋白水平显著上升（P<0.05）。与MDA-MB-231+ISO组相比,MDA-MB-231+ISO+OE-Nrf2组细胞活力、S期和G2期细胞比例、迁移和侵袭能力、Bcl-2、Nrf2、HO-1、MMP-9蛋白水平显著上升（P<0.05）,细胞凋亡率、G1/G0期细胞比例以及Bax、cleaved-Caspase-3蛋白水平显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：ISO可能通过抑制Nrf2/HO-1信号通路,抑制MDA-MB-231细胞恶性增殖、迁移和侵袭等行为。     

miR-125a-5p通过靶向调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力

miR-125a-5p可负性调节GAB2表达,抑制胶质瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。本研究旨在证明miR-125a-5p抑癌作用的普遍性,即miR-125a-5p是否可通过靶向抑制GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移。荧光素酶实验结果显示,miR-125a-5p可特异识别GAB2的3′-UTR,抑制报告酶的表达。荧光定量PCR结果揭示,与正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A比较,miR-125a-5p在乳腺癌细胞MDA231和MCF-7中的表达明显降低;与迁移能力相对较低的MCF-7细胞比较,miR-125a-5p在迁移能力较高的MDA231细胞中的表达量更低。Western 印迹结果证明,与空载体（对照）和anti-miR125a 5p转染细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p明显抑制GAB2蛋白在乳腺癌细胞中的表达。Transwell结果显示,与空载体转染的对照细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p的乳腺癌细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数明显减少;相反,转染anti-miR125a-5p的细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数却明显增多。上述结果提示,miR-125a-5p在正常的乳腺细胞中高表达,而在乳腺癌细胞中低表达,其表达水平与癌细胞的迁移能力和GAB2表达呈反向关系。本研究结果还提示,miR-125a-5p通过靶向负调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力。总之,本研究证明,miR-125a-5p在肿瘤中发挥抑癌作用。     

高尔基磷蛋白3参与调控乳腺癌的增殖

高尔基体磷蛋白3 (GOLPH3)是一种新的致癌基因,与某些恶性肿瘤的生长和转移密切相关。本研究旨在考察GOLPH3在乳腺癌细胞增殖中的作用。采用MTS和BrdU 2种方法检测GOLPH3对人乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-435S增殖的影响,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期,qRT-PCR检测细胞周期相关基因(Cyclin D, Cyclin E和P21)表达。研究发现,GOLPH3在乳腺癌样本中显著上调;GOLPH3的过表达显著促进MDA-MB-435S细胞的增殖;miRNA-590-3p的过表达抑制了细胞的GOLPH3 mRNA表达及增殖;过表达ATF-3通过抑制miR-590-3p来促进MDA-MB-435S细胞增殖。本研究表明抑制ATF-3/miR-590-3p/GOLPH3信号通路可抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖,GOLPH3可能成为未来临床治疗中乳腺癌早期诊断的潜在生物标志物。     

G3BP 在结肠癌中表达的临床病理学研究

目的:探讨G3BP(Ras-GTPase-activiting protein SH3 domain binding protein)在结肠癌组织中的表达及其临床病理意义.方法:用免疫组织化学技术检测50例结肠癌组织中G3BP的表达,并分析其与患者临床病理指标的关系及其对预后的影响.结果:G3BP在结肠癌中阳性表达率为72％(36/50),G3BP的阳性表达率与肿瘤分化程度、淋巴结转移、病变浸润层次及TNM分期有关.而与年龄、性别、肿瘤大小无关(P＞0.05).G3BP高表达组患者的生存时间明显短于低表达组.结论:G3BP表达与结肠癌的侵袭和转移相关,可能是结肠癌的预后差的指标.     

miR-5688在三阴性乳腺癌细胞中下调固醇调节元件结合蛋白1的表达而抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞增殖

目的:探讨miR-5688在患者来源三阴性乳腺癌(PD-TNBC)细胞中通过抑制固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(SREBP-1)的表达从而发挥抗肿瘤活性。方法:查询miRDB数据库,预测潜在作用于SREBP-1的miRNA;qPCR实验检测三阴性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞系、PD-TNBC细胞及患者组织中SREBP-1与miR-5688的表达;Western印迹验证miR-5688下调SREBP-1的表达;构建miRNA-5688的过表达慢病毒颗粒,在上述细胞中过表达miR-5688,以MTT实验、Transwell实验、裸鼠皮下成瘤实验检测miRNA-5688对细胞增殖、转移与侵袭作用、裸鼠成瘤的影响。结果:在三阴性乳腺癌临床标本中,miR-5688与SREBP-1的表达呈负相关趋势,通过在PD-TNBC细胞中验证,miR-5688能够下调SREBP-1的表达;转染miR-5688抑制剂能够阻断miR-5688抑制SREBP-1表达的作用。体外细胞实验结果显示miR-5688能够抑制MDA-MB-231细胞系和PD-TNBC细胞的增殖、转移与侵袭作用,同样转染miR-5688抑制剂能够阻断其抑制作用。体内小鼠成瘤实验结果显示,miR-5688能够抑制PD-TNBC细胞在裸鼠皮下的成瘤作用。结论:miR-5688能够在PD-TNBC细胞中下调SREBP-1的表达,并抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞增殖作用。     

MiR-196a促进人非小细胞肺癌细胞NCI-H1299侵袭转移的研究

目的:非小细胞肺癌发生、发展的分子机制仍是目前研究的热点与难点,新近研究表明microRNA在肿瘤的发展过程中起着重要的作用.本研究旨在探讨miR-196a在人非小细胞肺癌组织及细胞系中的表达水平,以及抑制miR-196a对非小细胞肺癌细胞侵袭转移能力的影响.方法:通过real-time PCR技术检测人非小细胞肺癌及细胞系中miR-196a的表达水平,通过转染miR-196a inhibitors抑制miR-196a的表达水平,并通过定量PCR检测转染效率.利用transwell实验检测下调miR-196a对NCI-H1299细胞的迁移、侵袭能力的影响.结果:相对于正常肺组织及细胞,在非小细胞肺癌组织和细胞中miR-196a的表达水平出现了显著的上调,NCI-H1299细胞中转染miR-196a inhibitors能显著抑制miR-196a的表达水平且抑制miR-196a的表达能降低NCI-H1299细胞的迁移、侵袭能力.结论:定量PCR结果显示miR-196a在非小细胞肺癌组织及细胞中表达显著上调,而封闭其表达能影响非小细胞肺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭功能,提示miR-196a的表达上调可能在非小细胞肺癌的发生、发展中起着关键的作用,并有可能作为将来非小细胞肺癌诊断、预后的分子靶标.     

miR-21靶向调节MARCKS基因影响人乳腺癌细胞多西紫杉醇敏感性的研究

目的:探讨miR-21对MARCKS基因表达的调控及其与乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞株多西紫杉醇耐药的关系。方法:通过基因芯片筛选到miR-21在亲代敏感细胞株(MDA-MB-231/S)与多西紫杉醇耐药细胞株(MDA-MB-231/Doc)中存在差异表达,应用实时荧光定量(RT-qPCR)方法验证此差异,同时分别检测MDA-MB-231/S细胞和MDA-MB-231/Doc细胞转染miR-21模拟物和抑制物后的表达变化;通过靶基因预测软件预测miR-21与MARCKS基因的关系;采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法、流式细胞术、RT-qPCR和蛋白质印迹法检测miR-21表达变化对三阴性乳腺癌细胞多西紫杉醇耐药性的影响,并探讨其与MARCKS基因表达的关系。结果:与MDA-MB-231/S相比,miR-21在MDA-MB-231/Doc中的表达水平明显升高(2.03±0.06)倍(P0.05)。与阴性对照组比,MDA-MB-231/S细胞转染miR-21 mimics后miR-21表达水平明显增高(2.26±0.07)倍(P0.05),而MARCKS基因在mRNA和蛋白水平上均明显下调。MDA-MB-231/Doc细胞转染miR-21 inhibitors后,miR-21表达水平是阴性对照组的(0.36±0.03)倍(P0.05),MARCKS基因的mRNA和蛋白水平高于其阴性对照组。转染miR-21 mimics后的MDA-MB-231/S细胞IC50显著高于其阴性对照组(P0.05),相反,与阴性对照组相比,MDA-MB-231/Doc细胞转染miR-21 inhibitors后,其IC50显著降低(P0.05)。MDA-MB-231/S转染miR-21 mimics后,miR-21表达量明显上调,MARCKS基因分别是阴性对照组的(3.564±0.336)倍和(2.019±0.268)倍(P0.05)。结论:miR-21可能通过靶向调节MARCKS基因增强乳腺癌细胞对多西紫杉醇的耐药性。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG）是茶叶活性物质主要成分.EGCG可预防或治疗多种肿瘤.本文旨在探讨EGCG对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、凋亡及迁移力的作用及其机制. 经EGCG处理后,通过流式细胞术及噻唑蓝（MTT）法发现,EGCG使MDA-MB-231细胞周期阻滞,细胞凋亡数量上升,明显抑制乳腺癌细胞的存活率. EGCG处理后,MDA-MB-231细胞的形态由正常的纤维状变为鹅卵石状. 免疫荧光染色及免疫印迹结果表明,其上皮细胞标志物表达量增加,而间质标志物表达量下降. 通过划痕实验发现,EGCG明显抑制了细胞迁移能力. 本文揭示了EGCG通过抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞周期进程,促进间质-上皮转化,抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移.     

The down-regulation of miR-129 in breast cancer and its effect on breast cancer migration and motility

To search the microRNAs (miRNA) which suppress metastasis of breast cancer, we utilize three well known micoRNA target prediction programs, Targetscan, Pictar and miRanda, to select the microRNAs that target the genes related to tumor metastasis. We chose MDA-MB-231 with high metastasis ability as the model to evaluate the effect of miRNAs on cell motility through Transwell migration assay. After the first round of screening, miR-129 is found to significantly inhibit the migration of MDA-MB-231 both in Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay. Furthermore, miR-129 also shows great suppressive ability to cell mobility and migration in another two breast cancer cell lines BT549 and MDA-MB-435s. Most importantly, miR-129 is down-regulated both in breast cancer tissues compared with the paired adjacent normal breast tissues, and in breast cancer cell lines compared with normal breast epithelial cell MCF10A (P < 0.05). These results indicate that over-expression of miR-129 could inhibit breast cancer motility and migration, and the down-regulation of miR-129 may participate in the breast cancer migration and metastasis.     

MicroRNA-224 targets RKIP to control cell invasion and expression of metastasis genes in human breast cancer cells

The Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a tumor suppressor that protects against metastasis and genomic instability. RKIP is downregulated in many types of tumors, although the mechanism for this remains unknown. MicroRNAs silence target genes via translational inhibition or target mRNA degradation, and are thus important regulators of gene expression. In the current study, we found that miR-224 expression is significantly upregulated in breast cancer cell lines, and especially in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells, compared to human normal breast epithelial cells. In addition, miR-224 inhibits RKIP gene expression by directly targeting its 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Moreover, metastasis, as assayed by Transwell migration, 3D growth in Matrigel, and wound healing, was enhanced by ectopic expression of miR-224 and inhibited by miR-224 downregulation. Promotion of metastasis in response to miR-224 downregulation was associated with derepression of the stroma-associated RKIP target genes, CXCR4, MMP1, and OPN, which are involved in breast tumor metastasis to the bone. Taken together, our data indicate that miR-224 play an important role in metastasis of human breast cancer cells to the bone by directly suppressing the RKIP tumor suppressor.     

Wnt pathway targeting reduces triple-negative breast cancer aggressiveness through miRNA regulation in vitro and in vivo

Triple-negative breast cancer, devoid of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression, is deprived of commonly used targeted therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are undergoing a revolution in terms of potentially diagnostic or therapeutic elements. Combining computational approaches, we enriched miRNA binding motifs of Wnt pathway-associated upregulated genes. Our in-depth bioinformatics, in vitro and in vivo analyses indicated that miR-381 targets main genes of the Wnt signaling pathway including CTNNB1, RhoA, ROCK1, and c-MYC genes. The expression level of miR-381 and target genes was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-10A as well as 20 breast cancer samples and normal tissues. Luciferase reporter assay was performed. Lentiviral particles containing miR-381 were used to evaluate the effect of miR-381 restoration on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of the invasive triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cell line and also in a mouse model of breast cancer. The expression of miR-381 was lower than that of normal cells, especially in TNBC cell line and breast tissues. Luciferase assay results confirmed that miR-381 targets all the predicted 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTRs). Upon miR-381 overexpression, the expression of target genes declined, and the migration and invasion potential of miR-381-receiving MDA-MB-231 cells decreased. In a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, miR-381 re-expression inhibited the invasion of cancer cells to lung and liver and prolonged the survival time of cancer cell-bearing mice. Therefore, miR-381 is a regulator of Wnt signaling and its re-expression provides a potentially effective strategy for inhibition of TNBC.     

BMP-6 inhibits cell proliferation by targeting microRNA-192 in breast cancer

Although bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) has been identified as a tumor suppressor associated with breast cancer differentiation and metastasis, the potential roles of BMP-6 in regulating cell cycle progression have not been fully examined. In the present study, we provide the novel finding that induction of BMP-6 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells significantly inhibits cell proliferation by decreasing the number of cells in S phase of the cell cycle, resulting in inhibition of tumorigenesis in a nude mouse xenograft model. Further investigation indicated that BMP-6 up-regulates the expression of microRNA-192 (miR-192) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Elevated expression of miR-192 caused cell growth arrest, which is similar to the effect of BMP-6 induction. Importantly, depletion of endogenous miR-192 by miRNA inhibition significantly attenuated BMP-6-mediated repression of cell cycle progression. In breast cancer tissue, miR-192 expression is significantly down-regulated in tumor samples and positively correlates with the expression of BMP-6, demonstrating the inhibitory effect of BMP-6 on cell proliferation through miR-192 regulation. Additionally, using the RT² Profiler PCR Array, retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) was identified as a direct target of the BMP-6/miR-192 pathway in regulating cell proliferation in breast cancer. In conclusion, we have identified an important role for BMP-6/miR-192 signaling in the regulation of cell cycle progression in breast cancer. Furthermore, BMP-6/miR-192 was expressed at low levels in breast cancer specimens, indicating that this pathway might represent a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.     

Evaluation of exosomal miR-9 and miR-155 targeting PTEN and DUSP14 in highly metastatic breast cancer and their effect on low metastatic cells

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women. Triple-negative breast cancer consists 15% to 20% of breast cancer cases and has a poor prognosis. Cancerous transformation has several causes one of which is dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression. Exosomes can transfer miRNAs to neighboring and distant cells. Thus, exosomal miRNAs can transfer cancerous phenotype to distant cells. We used gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets and miRNA target prediction tools to find overexpressed miRNA in breast cancer cells and their target genes, respectively. Exosomes were extracted from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells and characterized. Overexpression of the miRNAs of MDA-MB-231 cells and their exosomes were analyzed using quantitative Real-time PCR. The target genes expression was also evaluated in the cell lines. Luciferase assay was performed to confirm the miRNAs: mRNAs interactions. Finally, MCF-7 cells were treated with MDA-MB-231 cells’ exosomes. The target genes expression was evaluated in the recipient cells. GSE60714 results indicated that miR-9 and miR-155 were among the overexpressed miRNAs in highly metastatic triple negative breast cancer cells and their exosomes. Bioinformatic studies showed that these two miRNAs target PTEN and DUSP14 tumor suppressor genes. Quantitative Real-time PCR confirmed the overexpression of the miRNAs and downregulation of their targets. Luciferase assay confirmed that the miRNAs target PTEN and DUSP14. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with MDA-MB-231 cells’ exosomes resulted in target genes downregulation in MCF-7 cells. We found that miR-9 and miR-155 were enriched in metastatic breast cancer exosomes. Therefore, exosomal miRNAs can transfer from cancer cells to other cells and can suppress their target genes in the recipient cells.     

MiR-487a Promotes TGF-β1-induced EMT,the Migration and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells by Directly Targeting MAGI2

Tumor metastasis is a complex and multistep process and its exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We attempted to find novel microRNAs (miRNAs) contributing to the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-487a was higher in MDA-MB-231breast cancer cells with high metastasis ability than MCF-7 breast cancer cells with low metastasis ability and the treatment with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) significantly increased the expression of miR-487a in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Subsequently, we found that the transfection of miR-487a inhibitor significantly decreased the expression of vimentin, a mesenchymal marker, while increased the expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, in both MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, the inactivation of miR-487a inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that miR-487a directly targeted the MAGI2 involved in the stability of PTEN. The down-regulation of miR-487a increased the expression of p-PTEN and PTEN, and reduced the expression of p-AKT in both cell lines. In addition, the results showed that NF-kappaB (p65) significantly increased the miR-487a promoter activity and expression, and TGF-β1 induced the increased miR-487a promoter activity via p65 in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, we further confirmed the expression of miR-487a was positively correlated with the lymph nodes metastasis and negatively correlated with the expression of MAGI2 in human breast cancer tissues. Overall, our results suggested that miR-487a could promote the TGF-β1-induced EMT, the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by directly targeting MAGI2.     

An actin-binding protein ESPN is an independent prognosticator and regulates cell growth for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Breast cancer has been the first death cause of cancer in women all over the world. Metastasis is believed to be the most important process for treating breast cancer. There is evidence that lncRNA MEG3 functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer metastasis. However, upstream regulation of MEG3 in breast cancer remain elusive. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanism upstream MEG3 to regulate breast cancer metastasis. We employed RT-qPCR and Western blot to examine expression level of miR-506, DNMT1, SP1, SP3 and MEG3. Besides, methylation-specific PCR was used to determine the methylation level of MEG3 promoter. Wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were utilized to measure migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells, respectively. SP was upregulated while miR-506 and MEG3 were downregulated in breast tumor tissue compared to adjacent normal breast tissues. In addition, we found that miR-506 regulated DNMT1 expression in an SP1/SP3-dependent manner, which reduced methylation level of MEG3 promoter and upregulated MEG3 expression. SP3 knockdown or miR-506 mimic suppressed migration and invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells whereas overexpression of SP3 compromised miR-506-inhibited migration and invasion. Our data reveal a novel axis of miR-506/SP3/SP1/DNMT1/MEG3 in regulating migration and invasion of breast cancer cell lines, which provide rationales for developing effective therapies to treating metastatic breast cancers.