Use As Marker and Significance in Disease
Prolactin induced protein (called GCDFP-15 in this context) in breast cyst fluid or breast tissue serves as marker of both benign and malignant apocrine metaplasia as the protein is not normally expressed in breast tissue. It is characteristic of low grade apocrine carcinoma of the breast, high grade apocrine carcinoma frequently loose expression of this marker. PIP gene expression in breast cancer lines was associated with decreased cell proliferation and invasivenes and an increase of the apoptotic pathway. Many of the genes affected by PIP appear to be regulated by STAT5.
A mitogenic effect of this protein on experimental breast cells lines MCF10A, MCF7, BT474, MDA-MB231 and T47D was detected. Prolactin-induced protein has also been used for identification and detection of disseminated breast cancer cells.
The PIP gene is amplified in some breast cancer lines accounting for some of its overexpression, however additional mechanisms are needed to completely explain its overexpression. In T47D breast cancer cells, androgen receptor and RUNX2 interact to synergistically enhance PIP expression.
It has been hypothesized that in Sjögren's syndrome PIP binds to the C-terminal portion of aquaporin-5 and causes it to be transported to the apical membrane causing disruptions of water transport.
Read more about this topic: Prolactin-induced Protein
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