PDK4 mRNA Expression in Breast Cancer and Its Relationship with Prognosis

Objective To explore PDK4 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues and its relationship with prognosis.

Methods We analyzed the mRNA expression of PDK4 by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) and estimated the correlation of PDK4 mRNA expression with the prognosis of breast cancer patients by Kaplan-Meier plotter (www.kmplot.com). Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of PDK4 in TGF-β-treated MCF-7 cell line. siRNA decreased the mRNA level of PDK4 in breast cancer cells. Transwell assay was used to detect the invasion ability of MCF-7 cells.

Results PDK4 was down-regulated in breast cancer tissues, and the low expression of PDK4 was positively correlated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. In breast cancer cell lines, TGF-β decreased PDK4 mRNA expression, and the low expression of PDK4 enhanced the invasion of MCF-7 cells.

Conclusion The low mRNA level of PDK4 is an important prognosis indicator for breast cancer.