Abstract
MicroRNA‑29a (miR‑29a) has recently been in the spotlight as a tumor suppressor whose encoding gene is frequently suppressed in cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological functions and underlying molecular mechanism by which miR‑29a‑3p suppresses gastric cancer peritoneum metastasis. Cell proliferation, colony‑forming, wound healing and Transwell migration assays were performed in the present study. MiR‑29a‑3p expression was markedly decreased in gastric cancer cell lines with stronger metastatic potential. Silencing miR‑29a‑3p expression promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation, colony‑forming, migration and invasion. By contrast, overexpression of miR‑29a‑3p inhibited these biological phenotypes. In addition, it was revealed that miR‑29a‑3p functioned through downregulating hyaluronan synthase 3 expression. Collectively, dysregulated miR‑29a‑3p expression in gastric cancer cells was associated with malignant properties primarily relevant to migration and metastasis. The results suggest that miR‑29a‑3p may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.