Molecular Aspects of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Brain

Table 1

Genes implicated in the development of brain metastases from breast cancer.

Gene abbrev	Gene name	BM expression status	Gene product functions	Reference
KCNMA1	Potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily M, alpha member 1	↑	Voltage gated ion channel involved in neuronal excitability	[32]
MNT	MAX binding protein	↓	Myc antagonist	[33]
TERC	Telomerase RNA component	↑	A template for telomere repeat	[33]
CTSB	Cathepsin B	↑	Lysosomal cysteine proteinase	[33]
PTGS2	Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2	↑	Prostaglandin biosynthesis	[34]
HBEGF	Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor	↑	EGFR signalling	[34]
ST6GALNAC5	ST6 N-acetylgalactosaminide alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 5	↑	Sialyltransferase that modifies proteins and ceramides	[34]
CXCR4	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4	↑	Receptor for stromal cell-derived factor-1	[35]
MMP2	Matrix metallopeptidase 2	↑	Degradation of extracellular matrix	[36]
MMP9	Matrix metallopeptidase 9	↑	Degradation of extracellular matrix	[36]
ROBO1	Roundabout	↑	Axon guidance and neuronal precursor cell migration	[37]
ERBB3	Y-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 3	↑	Cell proliferation and differentiation	[12]
CAV1	Caveolin 1, caveolae protein	↓	Structural component of the caveolae plasma membranes	[38]
ERBB2	v-erb b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2	↑	Cell proliferation	[39]
HK2	Hexokinase 2	↑	Glycolysis	[34]
HPSE	Heparanase	↑	Remodeling of the extracellular matrix	[40]
STAT3	Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3	↑	Cell growth and apoptosis, inflammation, invasion, and metastasis	[39]
VEGF	Vascular endothelial growth factor	↑	Stimulates angiogenesis and vasculogenesis	[41]
IL-8	Interleukin 8	↑	CXC chemokine involved in neutrophil recruitment	[41]

↑overexpressed; ↓downregulated.