MicroRNA-154 Inhibits the Growth and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells by Targeting DIXDC1/WNT Signaling

Oncol Res. 2018 Jul 5;26(6):847-856. doi: 10.3727/096504017X15016337254632. Epub 2017 Aug 11.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of the development and progression of gastric cancer. Studies have shown that miR-154 is a novel cancer-associated miRNA involved in various cancers. However, the role of miR-154 in gastric cancer remains unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the biological function and the potential molecular mechanism of miR-154 in gastric cancer. We found that miR-154 was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of miR-154 significantly repressed the growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Bioinformatics analysis and Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay data showed that miR-154 directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region of Dishevelled-Axin domain containing 1 (DIXDC1). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses showed that miR-154 overexpression inhibited DIXDC1 expression. An inverse correlation of miR-154 and DIXDC1 was also demonstrated in gastric cancer specimens. Overexpression of miR-154 also significantly suppressed the activation of WNT signaling. Moreover, restoration of DIXDC1 expression significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-154 overexpression on the cell proliferation, invasion, and WNT signaling in gastric cancer cells. Overall, these results suggest that miR-154 inhibits gastric cancer cell growth and invasion by targeting DIXDC1 and could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Prognosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Wnt1 Protein / genetics
  • Wnt1 Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DIXDC1 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MIRN154 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • WNT1 protein, human
  • Wnt1 Protein