Data from Gene Amplification and Overexpression of <i>PRDM14</i> in Breast Cancers

Abstract

<div>Abstract<p>Several genes that encode PR (<i>P</i>RDI-BF1 and <i>R</i>IZ) domain proteins (PRDM) have been linked to human cancers. To explore the role of the PR domain family genes in breast carcinogenesis, we examined the expression profiles of 16 members of the <i>PRDM</i> gene family in a panel of breast cancer cell lines and primary breast cancer specimens using semiquantitative real-time PCR. We found that <i>PRDM14</i> mRNA is overexpressed in about two thirds of breast cancers; moreover, immunohistochemical analysis showed that expression of PRDM14 protein is also up-regulated. Analysis of the gene copy number revealed that <i>PRDM14</i> is a target of gene amplification on chromosome 8q13, which is a region where gene amplification has frequently been detected in various human tumors. Introduction of <i>PRDM14</i> into cancer cells enhanced cell growth and reduced their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Conversely, knockdown of <i>PRDM14</i> by siRNA induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells and increased their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, suggesting that up-regulated expression of <i>PRDM14</i> may play an important role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells. That little or no expression of <i>PRDM14</i> is seen in noncancerous tissues suggests that <i>PRDM14</i> could be an ideal therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(20):9649–57]</p></div>