ARK5 is associated with the invasive and metastatic potential of human breast cancer cells

Purpose To investigate the effects of Akt/ARK5 pathways on the metastatic potential of human breast cancer cells. Materials and methods The human ARK5 gene was transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells. Effects of ARK5 on MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated in vitro. The tumorigenicity and spontaneously metastatic capability regulated by ARK5 were determined using an orthotopic xenograft tumor model. Results ARK5 enhanced the invasive and metastatic potential of MDA-MB-231 cells under regulation by Akt. The enhancement was associated with increasing MMP-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP expression. The results were further demonstrated by RNA interference experiment. In an in vivo study, we also demonstrated that ARK5-transfected breast cancer cells grew faster and had more pulmonary metastases than its parental counterparts. Conclusion ARK5 led to a more invasive phenotype and metastatic potential in human breast cancer dependent on Akt.