MicroRNA-144-3p inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human salivary adenoid carcinoma cells via targeting of mTOR

Biotechnol Lett. 2016 Mar;38(3):409-16. doi: 10.1007/s10529-015-2007-x. Epub 2015 Dec 19.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the biological functions of microRNA-144-3p with respect to proliferation and apoptosis of human salivary adenoid carcinoma cell lines via mTOR.

Results: After transfection of microRNA-144-3p agomir, cell viability assays confirmed that the salivary adenoid carcinoma cell (SACC) proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was induced. Dual luciferase reporter assay validated that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was a direct target of miR-144-3p. Western blot, immunofluorescent analysis and a xenograft mouse model of adenoid cystic carcinoma indicated that miR-144-3p was a tumor suppressor and repressed mTOR expression and signaling in SACCs.

Conclusions: MicroRNA-144-3p inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human salivary adenoid carcinoma cells by downregulating mTOR expression in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma; Apoptosis; MTOR; MicroRNA-144-3p; Proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cell Survival
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • MIRN144 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases