Details for: BCAR4

Gene ID: 400500

Gene Type:  ncRNA (Non-coding RNA)  - A functional RNA molecule that is transcribed from DNA but not translated into a protein. Includes classes like miRNA and lncRNA.

Symbol: BCAR4

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000262117

Description: breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance 4

Cell Significance Landscape

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • extravillous trophoblast CL0008036
    CSI 3.45
    rCSI 4.27%
    PRS 99.81
  • placental villous trophoblast CL2000060
    CSI 3.32
    rCSI 5.14%
    PRS 99.83
  • syncytiotrophoblast cell CL0000525
    CSI 2.21
    rCSI 6.36%
    PRS 99.42

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

Loading network (please wait)...

Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) (breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance 4) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene located on chromosome 16p13.13. **Overall** expression analysis indicates that [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) has a highly specialized role, showing significant and specific expression in cell types integral to the placenta. Its primary function appears to be associated with trophoblast biology, which is crucial for embryonic implantation and placental development. While its name suggests a role in breast cancer pathology, the provided expression data strongly anchors its primary physiological function within the maternal-fetal interface. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) demonstrates a remarkably focused pattern, with its significance almost exclusively confined to specialized cells of the placenta. * **Placental Trophoblast Specialization:** The gene is most significant in [extravillous trophoblast](/details-cell/CL0008036) (CSI: 3.45), [placental villous trophoblast](/details-cell/CL2000060) (CSI: 3.32), and [syncytiotrophoblast cell](/details-cell/CL0000525) (CSI: 2.21). These cells are fundamental to the formation and function of the placenta, mediating uterine invasion, nutrient exchange, and hormone production. The high significance of [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) in these lineages suggests it is a key regulator of placental development and maintenance. * **Inferred Specificity:** The lack of significant expression in other cell types within the **Overall** context implies that [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) is not a broadly expressed housekeeping gene but rather a specialist lncRNA. Its function is likely tightly regulated and restricted to the unique environment of the developing placenta. ## Pathways and Molecular Function Functional annotation data for [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) is not available in the provided dataset. Therefore, the specific molecular pathways and biological processes it modulates cannot be detailed at this time. Its classification as a lncRNA suggests it likely functions by regulating gene expression at the epigenetic, transcriptional, or post-transcriptional level, potentially by interacting with chromatin-modifying complexes or scaffolding protein-protein interactions. ## Research Directions The highly specific expression of [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) in invasive trophoblast cells, combined with its discovery in the context of anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer, points toward a potential shared mechanism regulating cell invasion and hormonal signaling. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) is a critical regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasive phenotype in trophoblasts during placental implantation, a role that is pathologically reactivated in breast cancer to promote metastasis. 2. The expression of [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) in trophoblasts is regulated by the unique hormonal milieu of pregnancy (e.g., hCG, progesterone), and it functions to modulate cellular responses to these hormonal signals, a mechanism that contributes to hormone-therapy resistance when aberrantly expressed in breast tumors. **Key Experimental Approach:** To test the hypothesis that [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) drives an invasive phenotype, a loss-of-function study could be performed. * **Experiment:** Utilize an in vitro model of trophoblast invasion, such as the HTR-8/SVneo cell line. [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) expression would be knocked down using lentiviral-delivered shRNA or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The impact on cell invasion would be quantified using a Matrigel-based transwell invasion assay. Concurrently, RNA-sequencing could be performed on knockdown and control cells to identify downstream transcriptional networks regulated by [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500), particularly focusing on genes associated with EMT and cell motility. **Therapeutic Potential:** The therapeutic potential of targeting [BCAR4](/details-gene/400500) is highly context-dependent. * **Obstetrics:** Given its apparent importance in placental development, it is unlikely to be a safe therapeutic target during pregnancy. * **Oncology:** If its expression is highly specific to tumor cells with minimal presence in healthy adult tissues (outside of the placenta), it could represent a promising target for breast cancer. As a lncRNA, it is amenable to targeting with nucleic acid-based therapies like ASOs or siRNAs. Such a strategy would constitute an inhibition-based approach, aiming to suppress its pro-metastatic or therapy-resistant functions. Its utility would depend on a high tumor-specific expression profile to avoid off-target effects.