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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

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NEK2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma migration and invasion through modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal

Yi Zhang1, Wei Wang2, Yifei Wang1

  • 1Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|February 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Never in mitosis gene-A (NIMA)-related expressed kinase 2 (NEK2) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis by enhancing cell invasion. NEK2 overexpression is linked to poor survival and may serve as a prognostic marker in HCC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern with limited treatment options.
  • The role of Never in mitosis gene-A (NIMA)-related expressed kinase 2 (NEK2) in HCC metastasis remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding NEK2's function is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of NEK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which NEK2 influences HCC cell invasion.
  • To evaluate NEK2 as a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.

Main Methods:

  • NEK2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot in HCC cell lines and tissues.
  • Transwell and MTT assays were employed to evaluate cell migration, invasion, and proliferation.
  • Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, downstream signaling pathways (Wnt, NF-κB, focal adhesion, VEGF, Hippo, p53), and clinicopathological correlations were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • NEK2 was overexpressed in 37.84% of human HCC cases and associated with non-capsulation.
  • NEK2 overexpression significantly enhanced HCC cell invasion and migration.
  • NEK2 promoted HCC cell invasion through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.

Conclusions:

  • NEK2 is significantly overexpressed in HCC and correlates with poor patient survival.
  • NEK2 plays a critical role in promoting HCC metastasis via EMT.
  • NEK2 represents a promising prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

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