Objective: To investigate the effect of Twist gene deficiency on the enrichment and migration of breast cancer stem-like cells (CSCs).
Methods: Twist gene in the BT-549 cell line was knocked down by shRNA interference technology, and the cell line BT-549-shVec was used as the negative control group. Interference efficiency was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Mammospheres with the characteristics of stem-like cells were collected by long-term serum-free suspension cultivation. The migration ability of mammospheres was analyzed by Transwell(TM) assay.
Results: The BT-549-shTwist breast cancer cells were successfully established by shRNA interference technology. The enrichment and migration abilities of CSCs from the BT-549-shTwist cell line decreased significantly.
Conclusion: Twist gene promotes the enrichment and migration of CSCs from the BT-549 cell line.