MicroRNA-340 inhibits squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion by downregulating RhoA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

MicroRNAs are reported to play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Accumulative evidence has revealed that dysregulated miR-340 expression contributed to the carcinogenesis and development of various cancers.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the current study was to investigate the role and the underlying mechanism of miR-340 in SCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

METHODS:

Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of miR-340 in SCC tissues and cell lines. The function of miR-340 in SCC was investigated through Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, transwell migration and invasion assays. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis were conducted to predict and confirm the target gene of miR-340.

RESULTS:

In the present study, we first found that miR-340 was significantly decreased in both SCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-340 remarkably attenuated SCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas inhibition of endogenous miR-340 promoted SCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Our subsequent bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that RhoA was a novel direct target of miR-340 in SCC cells, and the knockdown of RhoA expression rescued the effects of miR-340 inhibition on SCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. More importantly, the expression of RhoA and miR-340 was negatively correlated in SCC tissues.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings demonstrate the tumor suppressor role of miR-340 in SCC by directly regulating RhoA. Therefore, restoration of miR-340 expression can be a potential therapeutic approach for SCC treatment.

• Authors: Huina Wang, Weinan Guo, Qiang Jian, Ke Xue, Min Huang, Sumin Chi, Chunying Li, Chengxin Li
• Journal: Journal of dermatological science (J Dermatol Sci) Vol. 92 Issue 2 Pg. 197-206 (Nov 2018) ISSN: 1873-569X [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 30262127 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 3' Untranslated Regions
• MIRN340 microRNA, human
• MicroRNAs
• RHOA protein, human
• rhoA GTP-Binding Protein

Topics

• 3' Untranslated Regions
• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (genetics, pathology)
• Cell Movement (genetics)
• Cell Proliferation (genetics)
• Down-Regulation (genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Male
• MicroRNAs (genetics, metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness (genetics)
• Signal Transduction (genetics)
• Skin Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• rhoA GTP-Binding Protein (genetics, metabolism)