Astrocyte elevated gene-1 induces breast cancer proliferation and invasion through upregulating HER2/neu expression

Background Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1),primarily identified as a late response gene induced by HIV-1 infection,plays multiple roles in the process of oncogenesis.This novel gene has been demonstrated to be involved in the several potent carcinogenic pathways,including PI3K/Akt pathway,nuclear factor (NF)-KB pathway,and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Although the function of AEG-1 has been intensively investigated in recent years,the molecular mechanism underlying its oncogenic role is largely unknown.The aim of this research was to explore the potential function of AEG-1 in breast cancer development and progression.Methods AEG-1 was ectopically overexpressed in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and its biological effects on the proliferation and invasion of MCF-7 cells were studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and invasion assays.The expression of HER2/neu,a crucial oncogene involving in breast cancer carcinogenesis,was also determined.Results Overexpression of the AEG-1 promoted the proliferation and invasion ability of breast cancer cells,and upregulated the expression of HER2/neu,a crucial oncogene involving in breast cancer carcinogenesis.Conclusion AEG-1 might facilitate the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells by upregulating HER2/neu expression,which provides a potential target for breast cancer therapy.