To our knowledge, this is the first time that a Brn-3b POU family transcription factor has been shown to regulate a member of the catenin family, which provides insight into the molecular mechanisms by which Brn-3b expression may favour breast cancer progression and tumor invasion.
Expression of the Brn-3b transcription factor correlates with expression of HSP-27 in breast cancer biopsies and is required for maximal activation of the HSP-27 promoter.
These results thus further indicate a role for the Brn-3b transcription factor in regulating mammary cell growth and suggest that its elevation in breast cancer is of functional significance.