RESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to observe the influence of the small breast epithelial mucin (MUCL1) (also known as SBEM) gene on migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells and to explore the potentially involved mechanism. SBEMinterference plasmid and SBEMoverexpressing plasmid were constructed. SBEMknockdown or SBEMâoverexpressing MCF7 and MDAMB231 breast cancer cells were established by lentivirusmediated stable transfection method. The scratch woundhealing assay and Transwell chamber experiment were used to detect the influence of the SBEM gene on the migration and invasion abilities of MCF7 and MDAMB231 cells. Realtime PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of epithelialtomesenchymal transition (EMT)related markers and regulators. The cell morphology was observed after transfection. The SBEMknockdown or SBEMoverexpressing MCF7 and MDAMB231 cells were established successfully. The migration and invasion abilities were decreased after SBEM was downregulated, and were increased after SBEM was overexpressed both in MCF7 and MDAMB231 cell lines. The mRNA and protein expressions of Ncadherin, Twist and vimentin were elevated following SBEM overexpression, while the expression of Ecadherin and claudin1 were found to be decreased following SBEM overexpression. In conclusion, SBEM has the potential to promote migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells via promoting epithelialtomesenchymal transition.