Background
MicroRNAs deregulation are common in human tumor progression. miR-1236-3p has been reported to function as tumor suppressor microRNA in various malignancies. The
Conclusions
Our results suggest that miR-1236-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in GC and could be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
Methods
Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA level of miR-1236-3p in GC. Dual luciferase assay was used to demonstrate that MTA2 was one of the candidate target genes of miR-1236-3p. Western blots were utilized to detect the protein levels. Cell function assays were also performed to determine the function of miR-1236-3p in GC.
Results
miR-1236-3p expression, which was associated with lymph node metastasis, differentiation and clinical stage, was significantly reduced in GC tissues and cell lines. miR-1236-3p over-expression could inhibit GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibition of miR-1236-3p expression had opposite effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MTA2 was a candidate target of miR-1236-3p, and miR-1236-3p over-expression significantly inhibited the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also found that miR-1236-3p could suppress the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GC cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that miR-1236-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in GC and could be a promising therapeutic target for GC.