Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that cells use to control gene expression, which serves an important role in tumorigenesis. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is responsible for the maintenance of the pattern of DNA methylation. Overexpression of DNMT1 is observed in numerous malignant tumors, including pancreatic cancer, and results in silencing of several key tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Recent studies have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) contribute to the regulation of DNMT1 expression, and promoter hypermethylation caused by DNMT1 overexpression is associated with the dysfunction of some miRNAs. The present study aimed to reveal the interaction between miR‑148a and DNMT1, and its effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Initially, the expression levels of DNMT1 and miR‑148a were detected in pancreatic cancer tissues and AsPC‑1 cells by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Secondly, the regulatory effects of DNMT1 on miR‑148a were evaluated using methylation‑specific PCR. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the target relationship between miR‑148a and DNMT1. Finally, in vitro rescue experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of miR‑148a on the expression of TSGs and the malignant phenotype in AsPC‑1 cells. The results demonstrated that DNMT1 was aberrantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer, and was responsible for hypermethylation of the miR‑148a promoter. Furthermore, DNMT1 was revealed as a direct target of miR‑148a by dual luciferase reporter assay, and restoration of miR‑148a could reactivate TSGs, such as p16, preproenkephalin and Ras association domain family member 1 by targeting DNMT1 in the AsPC‑1 pancreatic cancer cell line. These results indicated that an interaction exists between miR‑148a and DNMT1 in pancreatic cancer. Notably, miR‑148a overexpression significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in AsPC‑1 cells. Therefore, miR‑148a may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.