LINC00536 regulates transcriptional repressor TRPS1 in breast cancer

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women due to its complex molecular progression. Researchers sought to identify novel biomarkers and key molecular pathways that contribute to tumor initiation and advancement. To achieve this, they analyzed the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) at three key stages of tumor development: hyperplasia, adenoma, and carcinoma.

By profiling tumor and mammary epithelial cells originating from ROSAmT/mG tumors and non-tumor mice using RNA sequencing, they discovered 1,913 differentially expressed protein-coding genes and 324 lncRNAs in cancerous cells versus normal mammary cells. A correlation analysis between 93 differentially expressed lncRNAs and protein-coding genes revealed a comprehensive network of interactions.

The researchers specifically focused on Gm19303, which was found to be associated with the differentially expressed protein-coding gene transcriptional repressor GATA binding 1 (Trps1). Upon further investigation, they identified its human counterpart as LINC00536. The study found that both LINC00536 and TRPS1 were overexpressed exclusively in breast cancer cases, and these upregulated genes were linked to poorer patient prognoses in databases such as TCGA and GTEx.

Single-cell RNA sequencing data from the Atlas of Human Breast Cancers also confirmed that TRPS1 is upregulated in human breast cancer compared to normal human mammary tissue, with the highest expression found in the ER+ subgroup. In conclusion, the study suggests that human LINC00536/TRPS1 could serve as a valuable and early biomarker for cancer progression, as well as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.