The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an important regulator of metabolism. The relationship between PTP1B and tumors is quite complex. The purpose of this study is to explore the expression pattern and role of PTP1B in breast cancer. The expression of PTP1B was detected in 67 samples of breast cancer tissue by Western blot. Cell growth assay, Transwell migration assay, and Scratch motility assay were used to examine the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 with and without PTP1B. The total levels and phosphorylated levels of signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and the expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) were also examined by Western blot. PTP1B was overexpressed in over 70% of breast cancer tissues, correlating with patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive tumors. The data also showed that both tumor size and lymph node metastasis were significantly higher in patients with a higher level of PTP1B. The proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells were found to be inhibited after knocking down the gene of PTP1B. Our data also showed that PTP1B could up-regulate the dephosphorylated level of STAT3, which could increase the expression of CCL5. These phenomena indicated that PTP1B may play a crucial role in the development of breast cancer.
Keywords: Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B); Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3); Breast cancer; Tumorigenesis.