Mortalin promotes breast cancer malignancy

Exp Mol Pathol. 2021 Feb:118:104593. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104593. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Abstract

Mortalin is a member of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family that promotes the development of many cancers. It is reportedly a tumor promoter, but the mechanism of Mortalin in breast cancer is unclear. We designed a series of experiments to explore the correlation between Mortalin and the malignancy of breast cancer, and to assess the potential of Mortalin as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer. The expression level of Mortalin in breast cancer tissues was detected. Then, we did a series of functional experiment. The findings indicated that Mortalin facilitates the proliferation, metastasis, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of breast cancer. In our research, Mortalin is regulated EMT process and malignant progression of breast cancer through Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. The findings imply that Mortalin significantly promotes the progression of breast cancer malignancy and reduces patient survival, suggesting that Mortalin as a biomarker and prognostic factor in breast cancer.

Keywords: Breast cancer; EMT; Metastasis; Mortalin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Rate
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPA9 protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Proteins