BACKGROUND: Karyopherin α-2 (KPNA2) is a member of karyopherin family, which is 
proved to be responsible for the import or export of cargo proteins. Studies 
have determined that KPNA2 is associated with the development and prognosis of 
various cancers, yet the role of KPNA2 in ovarian carcinoma and its potential 
molecular mechanisms remains unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression and prognosis of KPNA2 in ovarian cancer 
was investigated using GEPIA and Oncomine analyses. Mutations of KPNA2 in 
ovarian cancer were analyzed by cBioPortal database. The prognostic value of 
KPNA2 expression was evaluated by our own ovarian carcinoma samples using 
RT-qPCR. Subsequently, the cell growth, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer 
cells were investigated by CCK-8 and transwell assay, respectively. The protein 
levels of KPNA2 and KIF4A were determined by western blot.
RESULTS: We obtained the following important results. (1) KPNA2 and KIF4A 
wereoverexpressed in ovairan cancer tissues and cells. (2) Among patients with 
ovarian cancer, overexpressed KPNA2 was associated with lower survival rate. (3) 
Mutations (R197* and S140F) in KPNA2 will have some influences on protein 
structure, and then may cause protein function abnormal. (4) KPNA2 konckdown 
inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as the expression of 
KIF4A.
CONCLUSION: KPNA2, as a tumorigenic gene in ovarian cancer, accelerated tumor 
progression by up-regulating KIF4A, suggesting that KPNA2 might be a hopeful 
indicator of treatment and poor prognosis.