Signal pathways, diseases, and functions associated with the miR-19a/92a cluster and the use of berberine to modulate the expression of this cluster in multiple myeloma cells

Abstract

Background: Berberine downregulated miR-19a/92a cluster expression in multiple myeloma (MM) cells.

Methods: The cell viability of MM cells after berberine treatment was measured by CCK8 assay. qRT-PCR assay validated miR-19a/92a expression in multiple myeloma cells. TAM database analyzed miR-19a/92a-associated disease. miREnvironment database revealed that effects of environmental factors on the miR-19a/92a cluster. By targeting the seed region in the miRNA, the role of t-anti-miR-19a/92a cluster was evaluated by cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation.

Results: Berberine inhibited the cell viability of MM cells and downregulated the expression of miR-19a/92a. Seven kinds of hematological malignancies are closely associated with miR-19a/92a expression. By targeting the seed region of the miRNA, t-anti-miR-19a/92a significantly inhibits multiple myeloma cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation.

Conclusion: Our findings may exhibit that miR-19a/92a cluster is a therapeutic target for MM and provide new mechanistic insight into the anti-MM effects of certain compounds in traditional Chinese herbal medicines.

Keywords: berberine; miR-19a/92a cluster; multiple myeloma; signaling pathways.