<b>Background and Objectives:</b> The NRG1 fusion protein is a driving factor for the occurrence and development of many tumours. We aimed to evaluate the effects of oncogene Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Target gene NRG1 was transfected into breast cancer cells using the gene transfection technique and the migration ability of cells was observed by wound healing assay. The migration and invasion abilities of cells were further observed by Transwell assay and cell apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining. The cell cycle distribution of breast cancer cells was detected by flow cytometry. <b>Results:</b> The wound healing assay exhibited that breast cancer cells overexpressing NRG1 exhibited stronger migration (p = 0.0047). More breast cancer cells of up-regulating NRG1 penetrated the transwell chamber, showing enhanced invasion ability (p = 0.0029). The TUNEL assay and flow cytometry demonstrated that NRG1 inhibited cell apoptosis and made them enter the active division stage. <b>Conclusion:</b> The NRG1 can promote the malignant function of breast cancer cells by augmenting migration and invasion abilities. High expression of NRG1 remarkably suppressed the apoptosis of breast cancer cells.
Keywords: Neuregulin 1; apoptosis; breast cancer; cell; invasion; migration; proliferation.