KIF4A: A potential biomarker for prediction and prognostic of prostate cancer
Jiahong Chen, Maozhang Li, Shumin Fang, Xiaobo Zhou, Jinxian Liao, Sheng-Bang Yang, Jianguo Zhu, Renqiang He, Jianming Lü, Funeng Jiang, Xiaoming Xu, Weide Zhong
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the clinical relevance and biological function of the kinesin super-family protein 4A (KIF4A) expression in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods We examined 1) the relationship between the expression of KIF4A and clinico-pathological characteristics of PCa patients using a tissue microarray and the Cancer Genome Atlas database, 2) the prognostic value of KIF4A expression in patients using Kaplan-Meier plots and 3) the functions of KIF4A in LNCaP and DU145 cells, such as cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Results Compared with normal prostate, the mRNA and protein expressions of KIF4A were up-regulated in PCa. The up-regulation expression rates of KIF4A in PCa were significantly related to the Gleason score (P<0.001). The elevated KIF4A level also predicted independently a poor biochemical recurrence-free and disease-free survival of PCa patients. The ectopic expression of KIF4A in PCa was significantly positively associated with the capability of migration and proliferation. Conclusion Over-expression of KIF4A correlated with the aggressiveness of PCa and with biochemical recurrence-free survival. Thus, KIF4A is a potential diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for PCa.