Deregulation of splicing factors and breast cancer development

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Oncology

Background:

• Aberrant alternative splicing of genes is a hallmark of breast cancer, producing pro-cancer proteins.
• Mutations or SNPs in cancer genes can alter splicing factor activity and splice site selection.
• However, altered splicing can occur even without DNA mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of deregulated splicing factors and RNA-binding proteins in breast cancer.
• To highlight the influence of altered splicing factor expression on cancer-related gene splicing.
• To emphasize the importance of assessing splicing factor status in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on splicing factors and RNA-binding proteins in breast cancer.
• Analysis of studies reporting changes in expression profiles of splicing factors and RNA-binding proteins.
• Examination of evidence linking these expression changes to alternative splicing events in cancer-related genes.

Main Results:

• Expression profiles of ten splicing factors (including SR proteins and hnRNPs) and eight RNA-binding proteins are altered in breast cancer cells.
• These expression changes significantly impact alternative splicing patterns of numerous cancer-related genes.
• Altered splicing occurs independently of detrimental mutations in the affected genes' DNA sequences.

Conclusions:

• Splicing factor deregulation is a critical mechanism in breast cancer development and progression.
• Focusing on splicing factors and RNA-binding proteins offers new insights beyond mutation-centric studies.
• Comprehensive assessment of splicing factor status is crucial for understanding breast cancer and metastasis.