Characterization of the Relationship Between the Expression of Aspartate β-Hydroxylase and the Pathological Characteristics of Breast Cancer

Med Sci Monit. 2020 Dec 31:26:e926752. doi: 10.12659/MSM.926752.

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression of aspartate b-hydroxylase (ASPH) and the molecular mechanisms of ASPH-related genes in breast cancer (BC). MATERIAL AND METHODS ASPH expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis in samples of BC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. ASPH mRNA expression data and their clinical significance in BC were retrieved from the Oncomine and GEPIA datasets. Enrichment analysis of genes coexpressed with ASPH and annotation of potential pathways were performed with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) analysis. Hub genes were shown in an ASPH coexpression gene-interaction network. The expression of the hub genes associated with patient survival were analyzed to determine the role of ASPH in the progression of BC. RESULTS ASPH levels were overexpressed in BC and correlated with cancer type, lymph node involvement, and TNM stage. Conversely, ASPH levels did not correlate with patient age, invasive carcinoma types, or molecular subtypes. Enrichment analysis showed the involvement of multiple pathways, including lipid metabolism and oxidation-reduction processes. Six hub genes, PPARG, LEP, PLIN1, AGPAT2, CAV1, and PNPLA2, were related to ASPH expression and had functional roles in the occurrence and progression of BC. CONCLUSIONS ASPH may be involved in the development of BC and may have utility as a prognostic biomarker in BC. The coexpression of ASPH-associated genes may also be beneficial in improving BC prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / genetics
  • Acyltransferases / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atlases as Topic
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Caveolin 1 / genetics
  • Caveolin 1 / metabolism
  • Datasets as Topic
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Ontology
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Humans
  • Leptin / genetics
  • Leptin / metabolism
  • Lipase / genetics
  • Lipase / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics*
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics*
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • Perilipin-1 / genetics
  • Perilipin-1 / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • CAV1 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Caveolin 1
  • LEP protein, human
  • Leptin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • PLIN1 protein, human
  • PPAR gamma
  • PPARG protein, human
  • Perilipin-1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • ASPH protein, human
  • Acyltransferases
  • 2-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase
  • Lipase
  • PNPLA2 protein, human