Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate vital cellular processes
such as signaling, proteasomal mediated degradation of proteins, and transcription.
Deregulation of post-translational modifications (PTMs) has been proven to have a
strong association with breast cancer development. Aberrant PTMs can promote
carcinogenesis by perturbing normal cellular homeostasis. The current literature review
showed that breast cancer cells displayed abnormal ubiquitination, glycosylation,
phosphorylation, and SUMOylation patterns. Breast cancer cells also exhibited stable
modifications in histone proteins and DNA. These epigenetic modifications can
directly affect the expression of cell cycle regulators by disrupting the transcriptional
state of the genome. The current chapter summarizes the involvement of PTMs in
carcinogenesis and the mechanism by which PTMs promote abnormal cell growth.
Enzymes responsible for aberrant PTMs could be targeted to reduce the severity of the
disease and may improve the prognosis of breast cancer.
Keywords: Biomarkers, Breast Cancer, Epigenetics, Post-Translational
Modifications.
