Association of centrosomal kinase STK15/BTAK mRNA expression with chromosomal instability in human breast cancers

Over-expression of a centrosomal serine/threonine kinase, STK15/BTAK induce s centrosome amplification, which results in chromosomal instability (CIN) in cell culture. In the present study, we investigated the correlation of S TK15/BTAK mRNA expression with CIN and various clinicopathological factors in human breast cancer. STK15/BTAK mRNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR, and CIN values were determined by FISH analysis of chromosomes 1, 11 and 17 using centromeric probes. STK15/BTAK mRNA levels (0.310 +/- 0.413, m ean +/- SD, n = 47) in breast cancers were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those in normal breast tissues (0.044 <plus/minus> 0.029, n = 9), Furt hermore, breast cancers were divided into 3 groups (low, intermediate and h igh) according to STK15/STAK mRNA expression levels. CIN values of the low- expression group (27.9 +/- 12.6%, n = 18) were significantly (p < 0.01) hig her than those of normal breast tissues (9.2 <plus/minus> 2.6%, n = 6), and those of the high-expression group (38.0 +/- 12.7%, n = 14) were significa ntly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the low-expression group. STK15/BTAK m RNA expression showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation with high histol ogical grade and negativity of estrogen and progesterone receptors, Our res ults demonstrate that STK15/BTAK mRNA is over-expressed in the majority of breast cancers and its over-expression is significantly associated with GIN , implicating STK15/BTAK in carcinogenesis through induction of GIN. STK15/ BTAK mRNA levels might be useful as an indicator of poor prognosis and resi stance to endocrine therapy. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss. Inc.