Temporary inhibition of Polo Like Kinase-1 using the siRNA technique in triple-negative breast cancer cells to reduce the expression of mesenchymal markers

Overview

Robles, B.S. In 2022, 2.3 million cases of breast cancer were diagnosed worldwide; approximately 17% were classified as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is difficult to mitigate due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Studies reveal ethnic disparities between non - Hispanic white (NHW) and Black women (NHB) with the MDA -MB-231 and MDA -MB-157 cell lines. Overexpression of Polo Like Kinase-1 (PLK-1), a mitotic kinase of G2 and Mphases, can lead to uncontrolled proliferation and treatment resistance. This project hypothesizes that if PLK- 1 is temporarily inhibited using the siRNA technique in TNBC, it will reduce the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers: Vimentin, N -cadherin, β -catenin, and E - cadherin. Each biomarker has one hypothesis for NHB-derived cells and another for NHW-derived cells. The cells were transfected with siRNA for 48hrs. RNA was converted into complementary DNA for RT-PCR analysis, and proteins were used for the Western blot. T -test results from RT- PCR showed a significantly reduced expression of PLK-1 in both cell lines using siRNA. NHB - derived cells had a p -value of 0.009, while NHW -derived cells had a p -value of 0.0152. In the experimental group, E -cadherin expression showed an increasing trend in MDA -MB-157, while Vimentin expression showed a decreasing trend in MDA-MB-231. To corroborate results, Western blot showed statistically significant inhibition of PLK-1 in both cell lines. It also showed a trend of increased β -catenin in MDA -MB-157. The se findings support hypotheses H 1, H 7, and H 8, suggesting that siPLK-1 is a promising strategy for reducing mesenchymal markers in TNBC and transitioning cells into a benign state.

Competition history

JSHS 2025 Category not listed

Resources

National JSHS abstract book

Related projects

ISEF · 2025