PRAME is critical for breast cancer growth and metastasis

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women and ranks second among cancer deaths. Metastasis is the main cause of death in breast cancer patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells remain largely elusive. Here we report that the protein PRAME, a tumor-associated antigen isolated from a melanoma, plays a role in preventing the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Knocking down of PRAME promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of PRAME promotes the invasion of breast cancer cells. To further examine the role of PRAME in vivo, we utilized mouse model and found the volume and the weight of tumors was markedly increased after PRAME was knocked down. This study demonstrates that PRAME functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.