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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional 3D Model
Published on: June 11, 2014
TPX2 promotes migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells
Yong Yang1, Da-Peng Li2, Na Shen3
1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China.
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.
Insights
Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) is highly expressed in breast cancer. Inhibiting TPX2 significantly reduces breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, suggesting its role as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) is implicated in cell division.
- Its role in breast cancer progression remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate TPX2 expression in breast cancer tissues and cell lines.
- To determine the functional role of TPX2 in breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assess TPX2 mRNA and protein levels.
- RNA interference (RNAi) targeting TPX2 was employed.
- Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated using MTT and Transwell assays.
Main Results:
- TPX2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines compared to controls.
- TPX2 inhibition via RNAi suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.
- TPX2 downregulation led to the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).
Conclusions:
- TPX2 is significantly overexpressed in breast cancer.
- Upregulated TPX2 promotes breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, partly through MMP-2 and MMP-9.
- TPX2 represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
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