As shown in Fig. 2A, nine genes including DLAT, DLD, GLS, LIPT1, MTF1, PDHA1, PDHB, SLC25A3 and SLC31A2 were significantly downregulated, but the other 3 genes including ATOX1, CDKN2A and SLC31A1 were significantly upregulated in HER2-positive BC compared with normal tissues. Here, MTF1 is linked to breast cancer.