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Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional 3D Model
Published on: June 11, 2014
Par3 promotes breast cancer invasion and migration through pull tension and protein nanoparticle-induced osmotic
Yunfeng Hu1, Qiu Xie1, Shanshan Chen2
1School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China.
Abstract:
Cancer cell invasion and metastasis are closely related to intracellular tension. The cell-polarity protein, Par3, is a mechanical transmitter that affects cytoskeletal forces and determines breast cancer aggressiveness. Increased Par3 tension caused by aPKC inactivation is involved in filopodia and lamellipodia formation. Blocking the connection between Par3 and aPKC increases breast cancer aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, aPKC-induced Par3 cytoplasmic translocation results in JAM-A phase separation and microfilament depolymerization, which is associated with increased intracellular protein nanoparticle-induced osmotic pressure. This study demonstrated the effects of aPKC on Par3 tension and osmotic pressure in breast cancer metastasis, and introduced Par3-associated mechanical mechanisms as potential targets for breast cancer treatment.

