Publication Date:
2014-09-26
Description:
Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to play important roles in cancer progression as a result of changes in expression of their target genes. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR - 520d - 3p on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and confirmed that this miRNA regulates EphA2 expression. The mRNA expression levels of miR - 520d - 3p and EphA2 in GC tissues and cell lines were evaluated. The clinical and prognostic significance of miR - 520d - 3p was assessed. The biological function of miR - 520d - 3p in GC cells was investigated using a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay, cell cycle assay, transwell invasion assay, and wound-healing assay. miR - 520d - 3p expression was down-regulated and inversely correlated with the expression of EphA2 in GC tissues and cell lines. Lower expression of miR - 520d - 3p was associated with tumor invasion ( P = 0.0357), lymph nodes metastasis ( P = 0.0272), a higher clinical stage ( P = 0.0041), and poorer overall survival ( P = 0.0105). Luciferase assays revealed that miR - 520d - 3p inhibited EphA2 expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region of EphA2 mRNA. Overexpression of miR - 520d - 3p dramatically inhibited the proliferation, cell cycle progression, invasion, and migration of GC cells, while down-regulation substantially promoted these properties. Moreover, c-Myc, CyclinD1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression levels were down-regulated in miR - 520d - 3p mimic-transfected cells and up-regulated in miR - 520d - 3p inhibitor-transfected cells. Taken together, our data showed that miR - 520d - 3p appears to contribute to GC progression via the regulation of EphA2 and could serve as a novel prognostic and potential therapeutic marker.
Print ISSN:
0300-8177
Electronic ISSN:
1573-4919
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
