Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

14.6K

Epigenetically regulated Fibronectin leucine rich transmembrane protein 2 (FLRT2) shows tumor suppressor activity in

Hansol Bae1, Byungtak Kim1, Hyunkyung Lee1

  • 1Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Republic of Korea.

Scientific Reports
|March 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

FLRT2 is a gene that acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. It becomes hypermethylated and downregulated, promoting cancer growth and migration.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Aberrant gene methylation and expression are hallmarks of cancer development.
  • Identifying novel genes involved in breast cancer pathogenesis is crucial for therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genes dysregulated by abnormal methylation and expression in breast cancer.
  • To investigate the functional role of FLRT2 as a potential tumor suppressor in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide analysis of methylation and expression microarray data from public databases (GEO, TCGA).
  • In silico screening, in vitro studies using cell lines (knockdown/upregulation), and analysis of patient tissues.
  • Pathway analysis, assessment of cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, adhesion, and target gene expression.

Main Results:

  • FLRT2 exhibited hypermethylation and downregulation in breast cancer datasets and patient tissues.
  • Downregulation of FLRT2 enhanced cell proliferation and migration, while its overexpression suppressed these processes.
  • FLRT2 significantly decreased cell adhesion on collagen I and was linked to "Cellular growth and proliferation" pathways.

Conclusions:

  • FLRT2 functions as a novel tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
  • Hypermethylation-induced inactivation of FLRT2 contributes to breast tumor development.
  • FLRT2 represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material11:12

Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material

Published on: August 1, 2018

8.5K
The Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay08:01

The Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay

Published on: October 27, 2014

114.1K

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.2K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.9K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.2K
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
38.7K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.8K