Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Abstract

Significant Association between Catechol Amine O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) Gene Expression Changes and Breast Cancer Pathogenesis

Ghasem Ahangari, Majid Pornour, Sayed Aminzadeh, Hossein Bakhtou and Hamid Reza Ahmadkhaniha

Objective: The most prevalent cancer among Iranian women and worldwide is breast cancer. Catechol amine-o-methyltransfrase (COMT) methylates some neurotransmitters such as dopamine which is secreted in chronic stress conditions and controls the growth of cancer cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of alterations in the gene expression of COMT in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its specific enzyme activity in blood samples of breast cancer patients as a stress factors suppressor.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 40 patients and 40 healthy individuals. Total mRNA was extracted from PBMCs and their plasma was stored to evaluate specific enzyme activity changes. RT-PCR was performed to confirm the presence of COMT gene expression in PBMCs. Expression changes of COMT gene were evaluated by real time PCR technique. Finally, specific enzyme activity of COMT was investigated.

Results: We observed that COMT gene expression in PBMCs of breast cancer patients was increased compared to healthy individuals. In addition, the enzyme activity of COMT was elevated in breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusion: Increasing in COMT gene expression in PBMCs lead to the further amount of dopamine methylation and promotion of breast cancer. Therefore, assessment of alterations in COMT as metabolizers of dopamine (a risk factor) in diagnosis of breast cancer seems to be necessary and using selected appropriate drugs such as COMT inhibitors after performing complimentary tests may be promising perspective in breast cancer therapy.