Pfn2-KO Mouse

Pfn2, or Profilin 2, is an actin-binding protein. Profilins generally bind to globular (G -)actin and regulate actin filament formation, which is crucial for cell shape, division, and intracellular force generation. Pfn2 is also involved in endocytosis as an actin/dynamin-binding protein and is associated with pathways like the MAPK/JNK pathway [1,2].

In gastric cancer cells, a SIX2/Pfn2 feedback loop was found to enhance cell stemness. SIX2 directly binds to Pfn2's promoter and promotes its activity, while Pfn2 promotes the mRNA stability of SIX2 by recruiting YBX-1, activating the downstream MAPK/JNK pathway [1]. In triple-negative breast cancer, Pfn2 promotes cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) [3]. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, high Pfn2 expression is associated with poor prognosis, and its down-regulation inhibits cell invasion and migration, and induces an EMT phenotype [4]. In breast cancer, circular RNAs like circ_0008500 and circABCB10 can regulate Pfn2 expression, affecting cell growth, apoptosis, radiosensitivity, and glycolytic metabolism [5,6].

In conclusion, Pfn2 is a key regulator in multiple biological processes and disease conditions. Through functional studies, especially in cancer-related research, Pfn2 has been shown to be involved in cell stemness, proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT. Understanding the role of Pfn2 in these processes provides potential therapeutic targets for various cancers.