Research Article

Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: June 22, 2026

Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) progression is regulated not only by intrinsic tumor characteristics but also by the tumor microenvironment, including adipose tissue-derived adipokines. Omentin-1 (intelectin-1) is a visceral adipokine implicated in metabolic regulation and inflammation; however, its role in BC remains controversial and insufficiently defined. 

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of omentin-1 on the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of BC cells and to investigate its association with the expression of PIK3CA/AKT1-related and migration-associated genes. 

Methods: MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive, weakly invasive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative, highly invasive) BC cell lines were treated with 100 and 200 ng/mL of recombinant omentin-1 for 24 and 48 h. Cell proliferation was assessed using the XTT assay, adhesion by an XTT-based method after washing, and migration via a wound-healing assay. The expression levels of PIK3CA, AKT1, and MMP-9 were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. 

Results: Omentin-1 significantly reduced proliferation in MCF-7 cells at 48 h by 20%–30% relative to control (p < 0.001), whereas no significant effect was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells (p > 0.05). Adhesion remained unchanged in the two cell lines (94%–100% across all groups, p > 0.05). Migration was significantly inhibited in MCF- 7 cells at 72 h, with gap closure declining from 85.71% to 62.98% and 58.98% (p = 0.031; p = 0.001). In contrast, MDA-MB-231 cells responded in a limited, time-dependent manner, with enhanced migration at 24 h and with no variations at 72 h due to complete closure. Gene expression analysis revealed dose- and time-dependent changes in transcription of PIK3CA, AKT1, and MMP-9, with each cell line showing distinct patterns. 

Conclusion: Omentin-1 is associated with differential effects on BC cell behavior in a cell line-, dose-, and time-dependent manner, which are observed in parallel with alterations in the expression of PIK3CA/ AKT1- and cell migration-related genes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Research Fund of İstanbul Aydın University

Project Number

2018/08

Ethical Statement

Since this study was conducted using commercially available cell lines and did not involve human participants or experimental animals, ethics committee approval was not required.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cell Development, Proliferation and Death

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Early Pub Date

June 22, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

February 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Soyocak, A., Koç, G., & Kanigur, G. (2026). Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202615
AMA
1.Soyocak A, Koç G, Kanigur G. Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202615
Chicago
Soyocak, Ahu, Gülşah Koç, and Gonul Kanigur. 2026. “Omentin-1 Is Associated With the Expression of Proliferation, Migration, and PI3K AKT-Related Gene in Breast Cancer Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202615.
EndNote
Soyocak A, Koç G, Kanigur G (June 1, 2026) Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]A. Soyocak, G. Koç, and G. Kanigur, “Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.202615.
ISNAD
Soyocak, Ahu - Koç, Gülşah - Kanigur, Gonul. “Omentin-1 Is Associated With the Expression of Proliferation, Migration, and PI3K AKT-Related Gene in Breast Cancer Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202615.
JAMA
1.Soyocak A, Koç G, Kanigur G. Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202615.
MLA
Soyocak, Ahu, et al. “Omentin-1 Is Associated With the Expression of Proliferation, Migration, and PI3K AKT-Related Gene in Breast Cancer Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202615.
Vancouver
1.Ahu Soyocak, Gülşah Koç, Gonul Kanigur. Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jun. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202615

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