miR-21-5p/Tiam1-mediated glycolysis reprogramming drives breast cancer progression via enhancing PFKL stabilization

Mechanistically, we showed for the first time that Tiam1 could interact with the crucial glycolytic enzyme PFKL and promoted evolution of BC in a PFKL-dependent manner. We highlight that the miR-21-5p/Tiam1/PFKL signaling pathway may serve as a target for new anti-BC therapeutic strategies. T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) as a tumor-associated gene specifically activates Rho-like GTPases Rac1 and implicates in the invasive phenotype of many cancers. Altering the glycolytic pathway is foreseen as a sound approach to trigger cancer regression. However, the mechanism of Tiam1 in breast cancer (BC) glycolysis reprogramming remains to be clarified. Here, we reported the Tiam1 high expression and prognostic significance in BC. In vitro and in vivo experimental assays identified the functional role of Tiam1 in promoting BC cell proliferation, metastasis and glycolysis reprogramming. Mechanistically, we showed for the first time that Tiam1 could interact with the crucial glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase, liver type (PFKL) and promote the evolution of BC in a PFKL-dependent manner. Moreover, miR-21-5p was found to exacerbate the BC proliferation and aggression by targeting Tiam1. Altogether, our study highlights the critical role of Tiam1 in BC development and that the miR-21-5p/Tiam1/PFKL signaling pathway may serve as a target for new anti-BC therapeutic strategies.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that Tiam1 interacts with the glycolytic enzyme PFKL to promote the evolution of breast cancer in a PFKL-dependent manner. The miR-21-5p/Tiam1/PFKL signaling pathway could be explored as a potential target for new anti-breast cancer therapeutic strategies.