SiRNA targeting LATS2 promotes proliferation and invasion in breast cancer cells by regulating the Hippo pathway

Large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) is an AGC kinase of the NDR family of kinases. It is a tumor suppressor of the LATS family, and plays a significant role in centrosome duplication, maintenance of mitotic fidelity, and genomic stability. It has been investigated for possible tumor suppressing functions. However, it is unclear whether LATS2 is involved in breast tumor cells growth. Methods: In order to estimate the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting LATS2 on the proliferation, expression, invasion, migration and tumorigenicity abilities of breast cancer cells, siRNA targeting LATS2 (LATS2-siRNA) and negative control siRNA were transfected into MDAMB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The mRNA levels of LATS2 in the transfected cells were estimated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein levels of LATS2 and its downstream gene YAP (Yes-associated protein) in these cells were evaluated by western blot analysis. The growth, migration and invasion abilities of the transfected cells were measured by MTT, colony formation, wound healing and transwell chamber assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was also used to detect the roles of endogenous LATS2 in breast cancer cells. Results: LATS2 mRNA expression was reduced after transfection with LATS2-siRNA, and protein expression had a similar trend, while the expression of YAP was upregulated. Transfection of LATS2-siRNA promotes breast cancer cells proliferation and migration, inhibits cellular apoptosis, meanwhile less cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase. Conclusions: The transfection of LATS2-siRNA into breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells suppressed the expression of LATS2 in these cells, and promoted their proliferation, invasion, migration and disrupted the cell cycle by regulating the Hippo pathway. Therefore, targeting LATS2 may be an efficient approach to control breast cancer.