NUAK family kinase 2 (NUAK2) has been reported to be involved in various cancer cell processes, including proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, by targeting multiple genes. However, to the best of our knowledge, its biological function in cervical cancer (CC) has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to measure the expression of NUAK2 and to evaluate its functions in CC. The expression levels of NUAK2 and cytoplasmic FMRP‑interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2) were detected in CC tissues and cell lines. In addition, the effects of NUAK2 and CYFIP2 knockdown on CC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated in vitro using Cell Counting Kit‑8, immunofluorescence, wound healing assay, Transwell assay and western blotting, respectively. Furthermore, co‑immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between NUAK2 and CYFIP2. The results revealed that the expression levels of NUAK2 were upregulated in CC tissues and cells, whereas CYFIP2 expression was reduced. In addition, knockdown of NUAK2 reduced cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. Notably, NUAK2 was found to bind directly to CYFIP2. Furthermore, CYFIP2 inhibition reversed the effects of NUAK2 on CC cells. In summary, NUAK2 may regulate CYFIP2 expression to promote CC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT.

中文翻译：

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NUAK2 沉默通过上调 CYFIP2 抑制宫颈癌细胞的增殖、迁移和上皮间质转化。

据报道，NUAK 家族激酶 2 (NUAK2) 通过靶向多个基因参与各种癌细胞过程，包括增殖、凋亡和侵袭。然而，据我们所知，其在宫颈癌 (CC) 中的生物学功能尚未阐明。因此，本研究旨在测量 NUAK2 的表达并评估其在 CC 中的功能。在 CC 组织和细胞系中检测到 NUAK2 和细胞质 FMRP 相互作用蛋白 2 (CYFIP2) 的表达水平。此外，在体外评估了 NUAK2 和 CYFIP2 敲低对 CC 细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和上皮间质转化 (EMT) 的影响分别使用 Cell Counting Kit-8、免疫荧光、伤口愈合试验、Transwell 试验和蛋白质印迹法。此外，进行免疫共沉淀以确定 NUAK2 和 CYFIP2 之间的相互作用。结果显示，NUAK2在CC组织和细胞中的表达水平上调，而CYFIP2的表达水平降低。此外，NUAK2 的敲低减少了细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和 EMT。值得注意的是，发现 NUAK2 直接与 CYFIP2 结合。此外，CYFIP2 抑制逆转了 NUAK2 对 CC 细胞的影响。综上所述，NUAK2可能通过调节CYFIP2的表达来促进CC细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭和EMT。