AI Article Synopsis

  • SULT1A1 is a sulfotransferase enzyme that plays a role in metabolizing potential carcinogens and its activity can vary based on gene copy number.
  • Male Breast Cancer (MBC) is less studied compared to Female Breast Cancer (FBC), but genetic factors like BRCA2 mutations and estrogen exposure are significant in its development.
  • In a study of 72 MBC cases, 13.9% showed SULT1A1 gene deletion, suggesting that decreased enzyme activity from this deletion could be linked to higher estrogen and carcinogen levels, especially in BRCA2-associated MBCs.

Article Abstract

SULT1A1, a member of sulfotransferase superfamily, is a drug and hormone metabolizing enzyme involved in the metabolism of a variety of potential mammary carcinogens of endogenous and exogenous origin. Interestingly, the metabolic activity of SULT1A1 can be affected by variations in gene copy number. Male Breast Cancer (MBC) is a rare disease and less investigated disease compared to female BC (FBC). As in FBC, the concurrent effects of genetic risk factors, particularly BRCA2 mutations, increased exposure to estrogens and environmental carcinogens play a relevant role in MBC. By quantitative real-time PCR with TaqMan probes, we investigated the presence of SULT1A1 gene copy number variations (CNVs) in a series of 72 MBCs. SULT1A1 gene deletion was observed in 10 of the 72 MBCs (13.9%). In a multivariate analysis association between BRCA2 mutation and SULT1A1 gene deletion emerged (p = 0.0005). Based on the evidence that the level of SULT1A1 enzyme activity is correlated with CNV, our data suggest that in male breast tumors SULT1A1 activity may be decreased. Thus, it can be hypothesized that in a proportion of MBCs, particularly in BRCA2-associated MBCs, the level of estrogens and environmental carcinogens exposure might be increased suggesting a link between gene and environmental exposure in the pathogenesis of MBC.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822812PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.12043DOI Listing

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