Mammary Cell News Volume 5.47 | Nov 28 2013

Phosphatidylethanolamine-Binding Protein 4 Is Associated with Breast Cancer Metastasis through Src-Mediated Akt Tyrosine Phosphorylation
Scientists found that metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells expressed much higher levels of human phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (hPEBP4) than nonmetastatic MCF-7 breast cancer cells and that expression levels of hPEBP4 were positively correlated with the metastasis of clinical breast cancer. [Oncogene] Abstract

Intracellular Patterns of Sialophorin Expression Define a New Molecular Classification of Breast Cancer and Represent New Targets for Therapy
Targeting sialophorin with small interfering RNA resulted in a MCF7 breast cancer cell line exhibiting increased homotypic adhesion, decreased transendothelial migration, increased susceptibility to apoptosis, increased vulnerability to lysis by natural killer cells and decreased ability to produce tumors in mice. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract

Vitamin C Suppresses Cell Death in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Induced by Tamoxifen
Researchers investigated the role of vitamin C in tamoxifen (TAM)-mediated apoptosis. Pre-treatment with vitamin C caused a dose-dependent attenuation of cytotoxicity, as measured by acridine-orange/propidium iodide and Annexin V assay after treatment with TAM. [J Cell Mol Med] Abstract

The Adherens Junction Protein Afadin Is an Akt Substrate that Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Migration
Scientists showed that under conditions of physiological IGF-1 signaling and oncogenic PI 3-K and Akt, Afadin is phosphorylated by all Akt isoforms, and that this phosphorylation elicits a relocalization of Afadin from adherens junctions to the nucleus. Phosphorylation of Afadin also results in a marked increase in breast cancer cell migration that is dependent on Ser1718 phosphorylation. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

COT Phosphorylates Prolyl-Isomerase Pin1 to Promote Tumorigenesis in Breast Cancer
Scientists identified MAP3K-related serine-threonine kinase as a kinase responsible for phosphorylation of Pin1 Ser16. COT interacts with and phosphorylates Pin1 on Ser16. Consequently, Pin1 Ser16 phosphorylation by COT increases cyclin D1 abundance and enhances tumorigenecity of MCF7 cells. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Crosstalk between VEGF and MTA1 Signaling Pathways Contribute to Aggressiveness of Breast Carcinoma
The metastasis associated protein (MTA1) was expressed and purified to evaluate its angiogenic potential. In both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, endogenous MTA1 protein was localized in the nucleus; while added recombinant MTA1 protein was bound to cell membrane as per immunofluorescence data. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

RANK Expression on Breast Cancer Cells Promotes Skeletal Metastasis
Researchers demonstrated that higher RANK expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (MDA-231-RANK cells) is sufficient to confer a significantly greater metastatic growth rate in the bone compared with MDA-MB-231 cells which do not express high levels of RANK. [Clin Exp Metastasis] Abstract

BTG1 Expression Correlates with the Pathogenesis and Progression of Breast Carcinomas
Researchers aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of B cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) in breast carcinoma, and its biological effect in a breast cancer cell line by BTG1 overexpression. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Combined Wnt/β-Catenin, Met, and CXCL12/CXCR4 Signals Characterize Basal Breast Cancer and Predict Disease Outcome
Researchers identified the chemokine system CXCL12/CXCR4 as a crucial driver of Wnt-Met tumors, given that compound-mutant mice also deficient in the CXCR4 gene were tumor resistant. Wnt-Met activation rapidly expanded a population of cancer-propagating cells, in which the two signaling systems control different functions, self-renewal and differentiation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

CD44 Is Prognostic for Overall Survival in the NCI Randomized Trial on Breast Conservation with 25 Year Follow-Up
Scientists evaluated CD44 as a potential marker of long-term breast cancer outcomes. Tissue specimens from patients treated on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 79-C-0111 randomized trial of breast conservation versus mastectomy between 1979 and 1987 were collected, and immunohistochemistry was performed using the standard isoform of CD44. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

The Relationship between Lymphovascular Invasion and Angiogenesis, Hormone Receptors, Cell Proliferation and Survival in Patients with Primary Operable Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer
Investigators examined the prognostic value of tumor lymphovascular invasion and microvessel density compared with that of established prognostic factors in invasive ductal breast cancer. [BMC Clin Pathol] Abstract | Full Article

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BioZorb Surgical Marker Provides New Tool for Breast Cancer Patients
Focal Therapeutics announced that its BioZorb™ three-dimensional tissue marker has now been successfully used in over 100 patients – marking a significant milestone for the company and the field of post-surgical radiation treatment for breast cancer. [BusinessWire] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Researcher – National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NUI Galway)

PhD Candidate – Wnt-Signaling and Stem Cell Biology in the Mammary Gland (University of Amsterdam)

Assistant, Associate, or Research Professor – Breast Cancer (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Breast Cancer Stem Cell Biology (UC – College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Computational Biology and Cancer Genomics (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Computational Biology of Cancer (Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute)

PhD Position – Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis Formation (Claude Bernard University Lyon 1)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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