Abstract
Aim: Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) contain a higher percentage of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) than the other subtypes and lack effective yet safe-targeted therapies. We would like to unveil genes relevant to the therapeutic control of breast cancer stemness at the epigenetic level. Methods: We sequenced the transcriptome of BCSCs isolated from TNBCs, identified genes differentially expressed in these cells and subjected to DNA methylation and established the Bayesian network as well as interactions out of them. Results & conclusion: We presented a core epigenetic BCSC gene panel consisting of eight genes that can be used for BCSCs and TNBCs identification, and revealed the dominant roles of FOXA1 and GATA3 in orchestrating breast cancer heterogeneity and stemness.
Keywords:
Bayesian network; DNA methylation; breast cancer stemness; cancer epigenetics; gene expression; triple-negative breast cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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C-Reactive Protein / genetics
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Epigenesis, Genetic*
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Epithelial Sodium Channels / genetics
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Female
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Fructose-Bisphosphatase / genetics
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GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha / genetics
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Humans
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Keratin-18 / genetics
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Mucoproteins / genetics
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
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Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
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Serum Amyloid P-Component / genetics
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Transcriptome
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Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
Substances
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AGR2 protein, human
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Epithelial Sodium Channels
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FOXA1 protein, human
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GATA3 Transcription Factor
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GATA3 protein, human
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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha
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KRT18 protein, human
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Keratin-18
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Mucoproteins
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Oncogene Proteins
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SCNN1A protein, human
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Serum Amyloid P-Component
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PTX3 protein
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C-Reactive Protein
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FBP1 protein, human
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Fructose-Bisphosphatase
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Phosphoprotein Phosphatases