MicroRNA-4268 inhibits cell proliferation via AKT/JNK signalling pathways by targeting Rab6B in human gastric cancer

Cancer Gene Ther. 2020 Jun;27(6):461-472. doi: 10.1038/s41417-019-0118-6. Epub 2019 Jul 15.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer (GC). However, the biological function of miR-4268 in GC and its mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, qTR-PCR found that the expression of miR-4268 was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of miR-4268 inhibited GC cell proliferation and the cell cycle G1/S phase transition, and induced cell apoptosis. In contrast, inhibition of miR-4268 promoted cell proliferation and G1-S transition, and suppressed cell apoptosis. Further analyses revealed that miR-4268 expression was negatively correlated with Rab6B expression in GC tissues. Rab6B was verified to be a direct target of miR-4268. Notably, silencing Rab6B resulted in the same biological effects in GC cells as those induced by overexpression of miR-4268. Importantly, both miR-4268 overexpression and Rab6B silence inhibited the AKT/JNK signaling pathways, which modulated cell cycle regulators (Cyclin D1 and CDK4). In contrast, inhibition of miR-4268 promoted the AKT/JNK signaling pathways. MiR-4268 overexpression also promoted the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, miR-4268 suppresses GC cell proliferation through inhibiting the AKT/JNK signaling pathways by targeting Rab6B and induces cell apoptosis through promoting the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings indicate a tumor-suppressor role of miR-4268 in GC pathogenesis and the potential of miR-4268 in GC theropy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Middle Aged
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transfection
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Rab6 protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins