MicroRNA-340-5p inhibits colon cancer cell migration via targeting of RhoA

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 9;10(1):16934. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73792-9.

Abstract

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Metastasis is the most insidious aspect of cancer progression. Convincing data suggest that microRNAs (miRs) play a key function in colon cancer biology. We examined the role of miR-340-5p in regulating RhoA expression as well as cell migration and invasion in colon cancer cells. Levels of miR-340-5p and RhoA mRNA varied inversely in serum-free and serum-grown HT-29 and AZ-97 colon cancer cells. It was found transfection with miR-340-5p not only decreased expression of RhoA mRNA and protein levels in HT-29 cells but also reduced colon cancer cell migration and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis predicted one putative binding sites at the 3'-UTR of RhoA mRNA. Targeting this binding site with a specific blocker reversed mimic miR-340-5p-induced inhibition of RhoA activation and colon cancer cell migration and invasion. These novel results suggest that miR-340-5p is an important regulator of colon cancer cell motility via targeting of RhoA and further experiments are warranted to evaluate the role of miR-340-5p in colon cancer metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Aged
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Transfection / methods
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MIRN340 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RHOA protein, human
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein