转移相关基因对转移的调控是乳腺癌发生转移的分子基础，发现新的乳腺癌转移相关基因并阐明其作用机制将为转移性乳腺癌的分子诊断和个体化治疗奠定基础。hPEBP4是本课题组自主克隆的新型磷脂酰乙醇胺结合蛋白（GenBank登录号AY037148，国家发明专利号ZL 02136556.3)，表达高低和乳腺癌、前列腺癌的恶性程度正相关，而其表达下调增强肿瘤细胞对抗肿瘤药物的敏感性。我们前期结果显示hPEBP4高表达于乳腺癌转移灶，以及高转移的乳腺癌细胞系,并促进乳腺癌细胞系的转移。拟在此基础上通过体内、体外实验确定hPEBP4在乳腺癌转移中的作用，并探讨其作用机制。同时研究临床标本中hPEBP4表达高低与乳腺癌转移的关系。该项目的完成可进一步揭示hPEBP4分子的生理、病理功能以及其与乳腺癌的生物学行为的关系。并探讨其作为乳腺癌治疗基因靶点的可能性，为转移性乳腺癌的治疗提供新的思路。

It is well known the metastasis associated genes regulate the metastasis of cancer cells. Identification and characterization of new genes involved in the breast cancer metastasis will add new insight into the molecular diagnosis and individual treatment for breast cancer. Human phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (hPEBP4) is identified by us as an anti-apoptotic molecule hPEBP4 and preferentially expressed on the cancer tissues. (GenBank aceesion number AY037148, National invention patent No. ZL 02136556.3). Silencing of hPEBP4 notablely enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to TNF-α/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. Our recent results show hPEBP4 is highly expressed in the metastasis breast cancer cell lines and lymph node metastase. Overexpression of hPEBP4 promotes the metastasis of breast cancer cell while hPEBP4 silencing inhibits breast cancer cell metastasis. We will further investigate the functions of hPEBP4 in the breast cancer metastasis in vivo and in vitro,and the the mechanism by which hPEBP4 regulates breast cancer cell metastasis. Moreover, We will explore the the correlation between hPEBP4 expression and breast cancer metatstasis in the clinical specimens. This project will further reveal the physiological and pathological functions of hPEBP4; its relationship with breast cancer biological behavior and the possibility that hPEBP4 as a new target for breast cancer therapy.