MiR-208a-3p functions as an oncogene in colorectal cancer by targeting PDCD4

Biosci Rep. 2019 Apr 16;39(4):BSR20181598. doi: 10.1042/BSR20181598. Print 2019 Apr 30.

Abstract

Accumulating evidences have shown microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the progression of human cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the biological function and molecular mechanism of miRNAs in CRC still remains to be further investigated. Using microarray, we found and confirmed that miR-208a-3p was up-regulated in CRC tissues. Its high expression was statistically associated with distant metastasis and TNM stage. Functional assays revealed inhibition of miR-208a-3p suppressed proliferation, invasion and migration, and induced cell apoptosis of CRC cells. Moreover, we identified programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), a well-known tumor suppressor, is a direct target of miR-208a-3p. We also found that overexpression of PDCD4 suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Importantly, silencing of PDCD4 efficiently abrogated the promoting effects on CRC cells proliferation, invasion, and migration caused by inhibition of miR-208a-3p. Our findings confirmed the oncogenic role of miR-208a-3p via targeting PDCD4 in CRC, identifying miR-208a-3p as a potential diagnosis and therapeutic biomarker for CRC.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; PDCD4; micrRNA-208-3p.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • MIRN208 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • PDCD4 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins