Caveolin-1 up-regulates IGF-I receptor gene transcription in breast cancer cells via Sp1- and p53-dependent pathways.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays an important role in the biology of breast cancer. Most of the biological actions of IGF-I and IGF-II are mediated by the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), a membrane-bound heterotetramer with potent antiapoptotic and cell survival activities. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is one of the main components of caveolae, and it has been shown to interact with multiple signaling molecules.

Caveolin-1 controls BRCA1 gene expression and cellular localization in human breast cancer cells.

The role of caveolae and the caveolin proteins in cancer has been the subject of extensive research. BRCA1 participates in multiple biological pathways including DNA damage repair, transcriptional control, cell growth, apoptosis, and others. Little information, however, is available regarding the cellular mechanisms that control BRCA1 gene expression.