PKM2 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression by Regulating Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

• Published in: Analytical cellular pathology (Amsterdam) Vol. 2020; no. 2020; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Liu, Zhenzhong, Wang, Xiao, Zhou, Chengjun, Chen, Yuan, Zhang, Longxiao, Xiao, Hui, Wang, Dehai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2020; Hindawi; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - genetics; Cell Survival - genetics; Disease Progression; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - genetics; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Silencing; Humans; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Prognosis; Thyroid Hormone-Binding Proteins; Thyroid Hormones - genetics; Thyroid Hormones - metabolism; Up-Regulation - genetics
• ISSN: 2210-7177; 2210-7185
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/8396023

Breast cancer is the leading cause of females characterized by high invasive potential. It is necessary to explore the underlying mechanism of breast cancer metastases and to find specific therapeutic targets. PKM2 is considered a new biomarker of cancer with upregulated expression in tumor tissue. PKM2 participates in the cancer-specific Warburg effect to regulate fast glucose intake consumption. Besides, PKM2 also contributes to cancer progression, especially tumor metastasis. In this study, we showed that PKM2 is upregulated in breast cancer tissues and the upregulating of PKM2 in breast cancer correlates with poor prognosis. PKM2 can regulate tumor progression by promoting tumor cell viability and mobility. Furthermore, overexpression of PKM2 can promote EMT to encourage tumor metastasis. These findings indicate PKM2 is a potentially useful diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer.