TPX2 promotes migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) in breast cancer tissue and to explore its role in proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expressions of TPX2 in breast cancer tissue and cell lines were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. The effect of TPX2 with RNA interference on proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells was observed by MTT and Transwell assays. RESULTS: Both mRNA and protein expressions of TPX2 were upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared to tumor-adjacent tissue. TPX2 expression was also upregulated in breast cancer cell lines, and the TPX2 interfered by small interfering RNA could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly upregulated TPX2 expression is observed in breast cancer tissue and cells, and contributes to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.