Neuraminidase 1 regulates proliferation, apoptosis and the expression of Cadherins in mammary carcinoma cells.

The link between Neuraminidase 1 (Neu1) and cancer development has been highlighted in numerous studies. In an effort to understand the role of Neu1 in mammary carcinoma cells, we evaluated the effect of Neu1 on controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as regulating the expression of cadherins. By blocking the activity of Neu1 with oseltamivir phosphate or using siRNA to silence the Neu1 protein, we observed suppression of cell growth in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Enhanced cleaved caspase 3 expression was demonstrated in breast cancer cells treated with oseltamivir phosphate or in Neu1 knockdown mammary carcinoma cells. We also provided evidence of Neu1 reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal properties with associated changes to the respective cadherin family. Additional observations indicated that the phytochemical, honokiol downregulates the expression of Neu1. As a consequence of blocking Neu1, honokiol reduced the levels of sialic acid in the two subtypes of breast cancer. These findings provide evidence that Neu1 regulates cell growth and death, and facilitates cancer progression by modulating the expression levels of cadherins.