Breast cancer is associated with an increase in the activity and expression of cholinephosphotransferase in rats

AimThe present study aims to establish that cholinephosphotransferase (CPT), the terminal enzyme for the de novo biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), can be used as a biomarker for breast cancer in an animal model.Main methodsBreast cancer was induced by intragastric administration of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in rats. The activity and expression of CPT were compared between normal breast tissues and breast tumors. To establish possible mechanistic model, we looked into other enzymes of PC biosynthesis as well as c-fos protein expression and DNA binding.Key findingsCPT enzyme activity and its expression were significantly higher in breast cancer tissues relative to normal breast tissues. Corresponding to the increase in the CPT activity and its expression, c-fos activity and its expression were also increased in breast tumors.SignificanceThe present study suggests that increased CPT activity and expression is associated with DMBA-induced breast cancer development.