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PKM2 promotes stemness of breast cancer cell by through Wnt/β-catenin pathway

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

Metastasis is one of the main causes of breast cancer (BCa)-related deaths in female. It has been reported that cancer stem cell played an important role in metastasis. Here we first revealed a specific role of pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (PKM2) in the stemness of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer tissue analysis confirmed the upregulation of PKM2 in breast cancer, and high PKM2 levels were associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Holoclone assay and colony formation assay significantly elucidated the role of PKM2 in the self-renewal of breast cancer cells. Moreover, PKM2 elevated the proportion of stem cell and the ability of sphere formation in breast cancer cells. PKM2 played its functional role in stemness by regulating β-catenin. Collectively, we identified critical roles of PKM2 in the stemness of breast cancer cells which may elevate the therapeutic effect on breast cancer patients.

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Conflicts of interest

None

Authors’ contributions

Conception and design: Chengxue Dang

Development of methodology: Zheng Zhao, Chengxue Dang

Acquisition of data (provided animals, acquired and managed patients, provided facilities, etc.): Zheng Zhao, Zhangjun Song, Zijun Liao, Haifeng Sun

Analysis and interpretation of data (e.g., statistical analysis, biostatistics, computational analysis): Zheng Zhao , Zijun Liao, Haifeng Sun, Baoxia Lei, Wenjuan Chen

Writing, review, and/or revision of the manuscript: Zheng Zhao, Chengxue Dang

Administrative, technical, or material support (i.e., reporting or organizing data, constructing databases): Chengxue Dang

Study supervision: Chengxue Dang

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China

    Zheng Zhao & Chengxue Dang

  2. Third Department of Medical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, China

    Zheng Zhao, Zijun Liao, Zhigang Liu, Haifeng Sun, Baoxia Lei & Wenjuan Chen

  3. Breast Cancer Program, Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, China

    Zhangjun Song

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  1. Zheng Zhao
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Correspondence to Chengxue Dang.

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Zhao, Z., Song, Z., Liao, Z. et al. PKM2 promotes stemness of breast cancer cell by through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Tumor Biol. 37, 4223–4234 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-015-4121-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-015-4121-8

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