Overexpression of ANLN in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with metastasis

Background ANLN has been identified as an actin-binding protein and previous studies have suggested that ANLN is associated with actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Lung adenocarcinoma is a poor prognosis tumor. Metastasis is a very common complication and is regarded as the main cause for an unsatisfactory treatment outcome. Whether ANLN is involved in the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma is unknown. Methods We performed immunohistochemical staining and analyzed the correlation between the expression level and pathological parameters. We tested the migration and invasion of A549 and PC9 cell after interference with ANLN expression by Transwell and scratch wound healing assays. Protein expression of E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The same experiment was also tested after overexpression of ANLN. Results The metastasis of patients with high expression of ANLN was significantly more than that of patients with low expression of ANLN. In vitro, after interfering with ANLN expression, E-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased and N-cadherin expression was decreased in A549 and PC9 cells. Migration and invasion ability of A549 and PC9 cells were decreased,vice versa. Conclusion Our study suggests that the expression of ANLN in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with metastasis of cancer cells. ANLN may be involved in the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma by promoting epithelial mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells.