Open AccessRECQL5 plays an essential role in maintaining genome stability and viability of triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Author(s) -
Peng Jin,
Tang Lichun,
Cai Mengjiao,
Chen Huan,
Wong Jiemin,
Zhang Pumin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.2349
Subject(s) - triple negative breast cancer , biology , genome instability , dna damage , cancer research , dna repair , dna replication , breast cancer , cancer cell , helicase , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , cancer , dna , rna
Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignancy that currently lacks targeted therapies. The majority of TNBCs can be characterized as basal‐like and has an expression profile enriched with genes involved in DNA damage repair and checkpoint response. Here, we report that TNBC cells are under replication stress and are constantly generating DNA double‐strand breaks, which is not seen in non‐TNBC cells. Consequently, we found that RECQL5 , which encodes a RecQ family DNA helicase involved in many aspects of DNA metabolism including replication and repair, was essential for TNBC cells to survive and proliferate in vitro and in vivo. Compromising RECQL5 function in TNBC cells results in persistence of DNA damage, G2 arrest, and ultimately, cessation of proliferation. Our results suggest RECQL5 may be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.