HOXA5 protein tagged posts

A human breast cell lacking HOXA5 (right) shows protruding structures similar to tumor cells, compared with a normal human breast cell (left). Credit: Courtesy of Sara Sukumar, Ph.D.

Many breast cancers are marked by a lack of HOXA5 protein, a gene product known to control cell differentiation and death, and lower levels of the protein correspond to poorer outcomes for patients. Now, results of a new study by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists suggests a powerful role for the protein in normal breast cells, acting as a tumor suppressor that halts abnormal cell growth.

Cells without HOXA5 have an increased capacity to renew themselves and are more invasive than normal breast cells, ie they become more tumor like...