MiR-1179 represses cell proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma through suppression of NUAK2

Dejun Wang; Xue Song; Nan Zhang; Yesong Guo

MiR-1179 represses cell proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma through suppression of NUAK2

Am J Transl Res. 2022 Jan 15;14(1):223-239. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Dejun Wang¹, Xue Song¹, Nan Zhang¹, Yesong Guo¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiotherapy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.

PMID: 35173840
PMCID: PMC8829634

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the function and mechanism of miR-1179 in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The levels of miR-1179 and NUAK2 in clinical tissues or cell lines were examined using quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU assay, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell assays and flow cytometry assays were conducted to examine the impact of miR-1179 on HCC cells. The protein expression of NUAK2 was detected using Western blotting assay. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to reveal the association of miR-1179 with NUAK2.

Results: MiR-1179 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC specimens and cell lines compared to normal samples and cells. The miR-1179 overexpression inhibited HCC cell migration, invasion and proliferation through targeting NUAK2. Overexpression of NUAK2 can reverse the effect of miR-1179 on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Conclusion: miR-1179 suppresses HCC developmen through targeting NUAK2. Which can be used as a potent HCC diagnostic marker.

Keywords: NUAK2; hepatocellular carcinoma; miR-1179; microRNAs.