RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Expression of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D-1-α-Hydroxylase, and Vitamin D Receptor mRNA in Normal and Malignant Breast Tissue JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 155 OP 157 VO 29 IS 1 A1 KATHRYN McCARTHY A1 CHRISTIANA LABAN A1 STEPHEN A. BUSTIN A1 WILLIAM OGUNKOLADE A1 SAHIRA KHALAF A1 ROB CARPENTER A1 PAUL J. JENKINS YR 2009 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/29/1/155.abstract AB Vitamin D has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on several cell types, including breast cancer cells. There have been no studies quantifying the expression of the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-α-hydroxylase (1αOHase), which converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to its active metabolite, in breast tissue. We performed real-time RT-PCR to quantity 1αOHase and vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA in samples of breast cancer, adjacent non-cancerous tissue and normal breast tissue. 1αOHase and VDR mRNA were universally expressed, however, 1αOHase expression was significantly down-regulated in adjacent non-cancerous tissue from women with breast cancer in comparison to individuals without cancer. VDR was also up-regulated in breast tumours. The vitamin D axis expression in the breast suggests a role for its actions in normal tissue homeostasis and breast cancer pathogenesis. The decreased expression of 1αOHase in normal tissue from women with breast cancer may be important in their predisposition to the development of cancer. Copyright© 2009 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved