Methylcrotonoyl-CoA carboxylase 2 overexpression predicts an unfavorable prognosis and promotes cell proliferation in breast cancer.

Aim: Methylcrotonoyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (MCCC2), a subunit of 3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC), is reported to be involved in tumor formation and development. However, the role of MCCC2 in breast cancer is unknown. Materials & methods: MCCC2 expression was examined in 138 cases of breast cancer and matched adjacent normal tissues by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry. The influence of MCCC2 expression on cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Results: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR results show MCCC2 mRNA levels were significantly greater in breast cancer tissues than normal tissues (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that MCCC2 overexpression was significantly associated with Tumor, Node, Metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis and predicted an unfavorable prognosis (p < 0.05). CCK-8 and colony formation assay indicated that MCCC2 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation. Discussion & conclusion: These data indicate MCCC2 overexpression predicts an unfavorable prognosis and promotes cell proliferation in breast cancer, which may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker.