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A Novel Aspartic Protease Gene, ALP56, is Up-Regulated in Human Breast Cancer Independently from the Cathepsin D Gene

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Abstract

Tumor cell invasion requires expression of degradative enzymes such as plasminogen activator, collagenase, and cathepsins. Cathepsin D, a lysosomal aspartic protease produced constitutively in human breast cancer cell lines, also has mitogenic activity in breast cancer cells. Additionally, high cathepsin D expression is associated with increased risk of metastasis in patients with node-negative breast cancer. Recently, a novel aspartic protease gene, ALP56 (aspartic-like protease 56 kDa), has been identified. To examine possible interrelationships we quantitated ALP56 mRNA and cathepsin D mRNA in breast cancers using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ALP56 mRNA expression was greater in cancers than in noncancerous tissues (p < 0.0001), as was expression of cathepsin D mRNA. ALP56 gene expression was dose-dependently down-regulated in T-47D breast cancer cells treated with estradiol, while cathepsin D was up-regulated. Expression of ALP56 mRNA in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers was less than that in ER-negative cancers, and mRNA expression for ALP56 and cathepsin D did not correlate with one another. Thus ALP56 as well as cathepsin D may be a useful target molecule in breast cancer treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Laboratory Diagnosis and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, 060-8543, Japan

    Kei Kondoh, Naoki Tsuji, Chinatsu Kamagata, Masateru Sasaki, Daisuke Kobayashi, Atsuhito Yagihashi & Naoki Watanabe

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  1. Kei Kondoh
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  2. Naoki Tsuji
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  3. Chinatsu Kamagata
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  4. Masateru Sasaki
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  5. Daisuke Kobayashi
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  6. Atsuhito Yagihashi
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  7. Naoki Watanabe
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Kondoh, K., Tsuji, N., Kamagata, C. et al. A Novel Aspartic Protease Gene, ALP56, is Up-Regulated in Human Breast Cancer Independently from the Cathepsin D Gene. Breast Cancer Res Treat 78, 37–44 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022149226430

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