Comparative Analyses of Villin and HER-۲ Genes Expression in Breast Cancer

Background: It has been previously demonstrated that HER-۲ (humanepidermal growth Factor receptor ۲) positive breast cancers are associated with anaggressive nature. Villin is an actin bundling protein that plays a key role in actinreorganization and cell remodeling during stress. In this study, we aimed toinvestigate the correlation of Villin gene expression with HER-۲ in breast cancerpatients.Methods: Samples of ۴۲ patients with breast cancer, and ۳ controls werecollected. Expression of Villin and HER-۲ genes were monitored with real-timePCR using pre-designed primers. Student T-test was used to compare the meansbetween the groups.Results: The mean age of the patients was ۵۰±۴.۱۱years. Expression of theVillin gene was decreased in ۲۸ samples (۱۸ and ۱۰ samples with negative andstrongly HER-۲ positive, respectively).Villin gene expression was increased in ۱۴samples (۷, ۲ and ۵ samples with negative, weakly positive, and strongly HER-۲positive, respectively). The expression of Villin was significantly correlated withHER-۲ positive status (P= ۰.۰۰۰۵۷)Conclusions:We found that Villin gene expression is associated with HER-۲positivity and may be a predicting factor in aggressive breast cancer.