Fig. 8: Pep2–Ae disturbs the TRIB3-AKT interaction and reduces breast cancer stemness.

a–c Pep2–Ae suppressed mammosphere formation. Primary MMTV-PyMT, MMTV-ErbB2, and PDX BCCs were cultured in tumorsphere media and treated with the indicated peptides (1 μM) for 5–7 days. The size and number of mammospheres were analyzed (scale bar, 100 μm or 50 μm). d The effects of Pep2–Ae treatment on the tumor incidence of secondary transplanted MMTV-PyMT-derived breast cancer in FVB/N mice (top) and PDX-derived BCCs in NPG mice (bottom). e The effect of Pep2–Ae on the TRIB3/AKT1 interaction. Primary MMTV-PyMT and PDX BCCs were isolated from peptide-treated engrafted mice. Cell extracts were IP with an anti-AKT1 Ab and blotted with an anti-TRIB3 Ab. f The effect of Pep2–Ae on the levels of the indicated proteins. Primary MMTV-PyMT and PDX BCCs were isolated from peptide-treated engrafted mice. Cell extracts were prepared, and the levels of the indicated proteins were detected by immunoblotting. g Schematic diagram illustrates the elevated TRIB3 expression promoted BCSCs and breast cancer development. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM; P > 0.05 was considered not significant (NS); *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 compared with Pep2–con. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.