DDX43 mRNA expression and protein levels in relation to clinicopathological profile of breast cancer

Abstract Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most often diagnosed cancer in women globally. To meet the increased overall protein synthesis and for translation of particular pro-oncogenic mRNAs in order to survive, cancer cells appear to rely heavily on RNA helicases. DDX43 is one of DEAD- box RNA helicase family members. But, the relationship between clinicopathological, prognostic significance, in different BC subtypes and DDX43 expression remains unclear. Our aim therefore is to assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance in relation to DDX43 protein and mRNA expression. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 females newly diagnosed with BC and 20 control females, that were age matched, were recruited for this study. DDX43 protein levels were measured by ELISA technique. We used a real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification (real-time PCR) to measure the levels of DDX43 mRNA expression. Levels of DDX43 protein and mRNA expression within BC patients were compared to those of control subjects and correlated with clinicopathological data. Results: The mean normalized serum levels of DDX43 protein were slightly higher in control than in both benign and malignant groups, but this result was non-significant. The mean normalized level of DDX43 mRNA expression was higher in control than in both benign and malignant cases, although the results were not statistically significant and marginally significant respectively. Moreover, the mean normalized level of DDX43 mRNA expression was significantly higher in benign than in malignant cases. In malignant cases, low DDX43 protein expression was linked to higher nuclear grade and invasive duct carcinoma (IDC), whereas high mRNA expression was linked to a poor prognosis. Conclusion: Our study explored DDX43 as a cancer marker in human breast cancer. It has the potential to be used in clinical settings as a disease progression marker.