BRCA1 regulates caveolin-1 expression and inhibits cell invasiveness

BRCA1 is involved in multiple biological processes including DNA damage repair, cell growth, apoptosis, and transcriptional activation. Also, BRCA1 plays key roles in inhibiting cancer progression. Caveolin-1 is identified as a tumor suppressor and regulates the invasiveness of cells. However, the interactions between BRCA1 and caveolin-1 remain largely unknown. We have investigated the potential function of BRCA1 in regulation of caveolin-1 gene expression and its subcellular localization as well. The observations from RT-PCR, transfection, RNAi, and luciferase assays implied that BRCA1 could elevate caveolin-1 mRNA levels via transactivation of the caveolin-1 promoter region. Additionally, immunofluorescent approach showed that BRCA1 might inhibit the invasiveness and metastatic abilities of mammalian cells by inducing the redistribution of caveolin-1 from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.