Abstract
Mitochondrial dynamics is important for mitochondrial functions and cell migration in cancer cells. Previous studies showed that elongated mitochondria elevate mitochondrial membrane potential, enhance mitochondrial respiration, and decrease cell migration; fragmented mitochondria decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, reduce mitochondrial respiration, and promote cell migration. CAP2 sequesters G-actin and disrupts actin filaments. Moreover, CAP2 is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the knockdown of CAP2 suppresses the cell migration. However, there is no study discussing the correlation of CAP2 with both mitochondrial dynamics and cell migration in cancer cells. In this thesis, I found that CAP2 overexpression affected mitochondrial dynamics, and caused mitochondrial morphology and functions were changes in both HeLa and SC-M1 cancer cells. In addition, CAP2 overexpression disturbed actin filaments and decreased the activity of cell migration.