Expression of the Actin-binding Proteins Indicates That Cofilin and Fascin Are Related to Breast Tumour Size

This study was designed to investigate the expression of four actin-binding proteins, alpha-actinin-4, cofilin 1, fascin and elongation factor 1-alpha 2 (eEF1A2), in samples of breast cancer from 112 patients with different stages of breast cancer (stages T0 - T1, T2 and T3) compared with normal control tissues (n = 33). Levels of eEF1A2 and alpha-actinin-4 mRNA appeared to be unrelated to tumour size, except for a significant down-regulation of alpha-actinin-4 mRNA in T3 cases. Significant up-regulation of cofilin 1 mRNA was associated with stages T0 - T1 and T2; up-regulation seen at stage T3 was not significant compared with control tissue. Fascin mRNA levels were significantly reduced at all three tumour stages (T0 - T1, T2 and T3) compared with control tissue. In conclusion, some components of the actin cytoskeletal system might hold significant potential as targets in future cancer therapies.