The Ultrastructure of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells after Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Knockdown

Abstract

Inhibition of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) expression could modulate the adhesion and proliferation of breast cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well defined. Here, we show that knockdown of the VASP changes the ultrastructure of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Transfection of VASP shRNA significantly lowered the expression of VASP protein in MCF-7 cells. In the shRNA-VASP group, immunofluorescence showed diminished presence of F-actin, and it was lower in the nucleus than in the cytoplasm. After VASP was inhibited, the MCF-7 cells were oval in shape with blunt lamellipodium, disappearance of the cristae of mitochondria, decreased microvilli and more vacuoles. Collectively, our findings elucidated the morphological mechanism that knockdown of the VASP changed the ultrastructure of MCF-7 cells.

• Knockdown
• MCF-7
• ultrastructure changes
• VASP

View correction statement:

Corrigendum

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities” (No. 2014301020204), “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities’’ (No. 2042014kf0186) and “the National Natural Science Foundation of China” (No. 303210700191).