NUF2 Promotes Breast Cancer Development as a New Tumor Stem Cell Indicator

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most common cancer in women globally, with new subtypes emerging annually.
• NUF2 is a known prognostic factor in other cancers, influencing apoptosis and proliferation, but its role in BRCA remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of NUF2 in breast cancer (BRCA) development, prognosis, and its association with tumor stemness.
• To explore NUF2 as a potential diagnostic marker for BRCA.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic analysis using TIMER and R program to evaluate NUF2 expression, correlation with clinical parameters, and immune cell infiltration in BRCA.
• In vivo studies using BRCA cell lines (MCF-7, Hs-578T) to assess the impact of NUF2 overexpression and knockdown on proliferation and tumor stemness.
• Subcutaneous tumorigenic assays in nude mice to validate findings.

Main Results:

• NUF2 mRNA was highly expressed in BRCA patients, correlating with subtype, stage, and prognosis.
• NUF2 expression was linked to cell proliferation, tumor stemness, and immune cell infiltration in BRCA.
• Overexpression of NUF2 enhanced proliferation and stemness in BRCA cell lines, while knockdown inhibited these abilities, confirmed in vivo.

Conclusions:

• NUF2 plays a critical role in BRCA development and progression by influencing tumor stemness.
• NUF2 shows potential as a prognostic and diagnostic marker for breast cancer.