PCD1, a novel gene containing PDZ and LIM domains, is overexpressed in human breast cancer and linked to lymph node metastasis.
BACKGROUND
Despite surgical removal of the primary tumor of breast cancer in patients with apparently localized disease, relapse at local or distant sites may occur because undetectable micrometastases were present at the time of diagnosis. Identification of molecules associated with breast cancer metastasis suggests possible new treatments. PCD1, a gene encoding a new member of the PDZ and LIM domain-containing protein family, recently was identified. We examined the relationships between PCD1 mRNA expression in breast cancers and metastasis.


METHODS
PCD1 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues was examined using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
PCD1 mRNA expression was greater in cancers than in noncancerous tissues (p < 0.0001). In addition, high PCD1 gene expression was more frequent in patients with lymph node metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
PCD1 appears to contribute to breast cancer progression and nodal metastasis, thus representing a potential target molecule in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Sasaki
Masateru
M
Department of Laboratory Diagnosis and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, South-1, West-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan.
Tsuji
Naoki
N
Furuya
Momoko
M
Kondoh
Kei
K
Kamagata
Chinatsu
C
Kobayashi
Daisuke
D
Yagihashi
Atsuhito
A
Watanabe
Naoki
N
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C414207:PCD1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins