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Updated: May 7, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Downregulation of GLTSCR2 expression is correlated with breast cancer progression
Ahrim Moon1, Sung-Jig Lim, Young-Hwa Jo
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Glioma tumor-suppressor candidate region gene2 (GLTSCR2) is a recently identified nucleolus-localized protein participating in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Down-regulation of GLTSCR2 in several types of cancers and increased transforming activity in GLTSCR2-downregulated cancer cells indicated its tumor suppressive potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate GLTSCR2 expression in breast cancer and to investigate the question of whether reduced expression of GLTSCR2 may have any pathological significance in breast cancer development or progression. In this study, we performed quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of GLTSCR2 and relevance with clinicopathological factors in the invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). GLTSCR2 expression was reduced in 48% of IDC (n=426) by a semi-quantitative scoring system using tissue microarray. GLTSCR2 mRNA was significantly reduced by 0.16 fold in 15 out of 17 (88%) cases of IDC. Reduction of GLTSCR2 was significantly correlated with increased histological grade (p<0.005), increased tumor size (p<0.001), axillary lymph node involvement (p<0.001) and decreased disease free survival (p<0.025). In addition, we show that upregulation of GLTSCR2 decreases the invasive potential of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that GLTCR2 may play a role in the tumorigenesis, progression and biological behavior in breast cancer.
Insights
Reduced expression of Glioma tumor-suppressor candidate region gene2 (GLTSCR2) is linked to aggressive breast cancer traits. Lower GLTSCR2 levels correlate with higher tumor grade, larger size, and poorer survival, suggesting its tumor-suppressive role.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Glioma tumor-suppressor candidate region gene2 (GLTSCR2) is a nucleolar protein involved in cell cycle and apoptosis.
- Down-regulation of GLTSCR2 is observed in various cancers, suggesting its tumor-suppressive potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate GLTSCR2 expression in breast cancer.
- To determine the pathological significance of reduced GLTSCR2 in breast cancer development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess GLTSCR2 expression.
- Tissue microarrays from 426 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) cases were analyzed.
- Correlation with clinicopathological factors and disease-free survival was investigated.
Main Results:
- GLTSCR2 expression was reduced in 48% of IDC cases.
- GLTSCR2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in 88% of IDC cases.
- Reduced GLTSCR2 correlated with higher histological grade, larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, and decreased disease-free survival.
- Upregulation of GLTSCR2 reduced the invasive potential of breast cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- GLTSCR2 expression is frequently reduced in invasive ductal carcinoma.
- Reduced GLTSCR2 is associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poorer prognosis in breast cancer.
- GLTSCR2 may function as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, influencing tumorigenesis and progression.
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