UMBI Research Spotlight No.6/2026
The AGR2-ESR1 Genetic Axis in Breast Cancer Progression
UMBI is pleased to share a recent peer-reviewed publication by our researchers led by Ts. Dr. Mohamad Aimanuddin Mohtar from UMBI and Dr. Delphine Fessart from Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), France. The study also features contributions from UMBI PhD students Ms. Chia Yuh Cai and Ms. Syazalina Zahari, illustrating the important role of postgraduate researchers in UMBI’s research activities. Their team has published a study investigating the role of Anterior Gradient Protein 2 (AGR2) in breast cancer progression. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and RNA sequencing, the study examined how the loss of AGR2 influences cancer cell behaviour and global gene expression.
The findings showed that depletion of AGR2 using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool reduced breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to chemotherapy. The study also identified changes in several molecular pathways associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and receptor-mediated signaling. In addition, ESR1 (estrogen receptor alpha) was identified as a key hub gene within the AGR2-regulated network, providing further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression.
This research contributes to a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in breast cancer and highlights the value of combining genome editing with transcriptomic analysis to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Read the full article to learn more about the AGR2-regulated gene network and its potential implications for future breast cancer research and precision medicine:
Mohtar MA, Fessart D, Yuh Cai C, Zahari S, Syafruddin SE, Abdullah-Zawawi M-R, et al. (2026) Genetic regulatory axis between AGR2 and ESR1 promotes breast cancer progression. PLoS One 21(7): e0351873.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351873
#UMBIsharing #UKM #UMBIResearchSpotlight #BreastCancer #CancerResearch #MolecularMedicine #Genomics #CRISPRCas9 #RNASeq #PrecisionMedicine #TranslationalResearch
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