Further experiments showed that miR‐516a inhibited PHLPP2 expression, which in turn activated the AKT/Forkhead box O3 signaling axis to decrease SMAD‐specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (SMURF1) expression, eventually slowing down MMP9 protein degradation and promoting BC metastasis. This evidence concerns the gene PHLPP2 and breast cancer.