Characterization of LAF-4, a Putative Proto-Oncogene Involved in the Development of Breast Cancer

摘要

The long range goal of our research is to identify genes involved in the early stages of breast cancer development, specifically genes involved in the transition from hyperplasia to ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) and DCIS to invasive breast cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of LAF-4, a gene which we have recently identified as being transcriptionally perturbed in breast cancer, in the development of this disease. Analysis of LAF- 4 expression in a group of breast tumors showed that in 24% of the ANN tumors, the level of LAF-4 mRNA was significantly higher than the highest level found in the normal tissues. In the remaining cases, the expression was barely detectable. We reviewed the histology of the cases and performed in situ hybridization analysis to confirm that the expression originated from the mammary carcinoma cells. We are in the process of determining by microdissection at which stage in progression expression becomes elevated. By studying these transitions it will be possible to identify key genes in the progression to malignancy and develop targeted approaches to breast cancer prevention.