Effect of MiR-375 Regulates YAP1 on the Invasion, Apoptosis, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an important signaling pathway activator molecule. Studies have shown that it is involved in the occurrence of malignant tumors. This study identified a microRNA (miR/miRNA) targeting the 3′ untranslated region (3″ utr) of the YAP1 gene and evaluated its biological impact on human cervical cancer cells and related molecular mechanisms. qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the levels of miR-375 and YAP1 in HeLa cells. TargetScan software was used to identify the binding sites of YAP1 and miR-375. The MTT method was used to determine the viability of HeLa cells transfected with miR-375 mimic and YAP1 interference vector, the Transwell chamber experiment was used to detect the invasion of HeLa cells after transfection, the apoptosis of HeLa cells after transfection was detected by flow cytometry, and the western blotting was used to detect the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HeLa cells after transfection. The expression of miR-375 in HeLa cells was significantly lower than that of normal control cervical cells, and the expression of YAP1 in HeLa cells was significantly higher than that of normal control cervical cells. TargetScan analysis showed that miR-375 was bound to the 3′ UTR of YAP1. qPCR and western blot analysis showed that transfection of miR-375 mimics inhibited YAP1 expression in HeLa cells. Transfection of miR-375 mimic and YAP1 interference vector inhibited HeLa cell invasion and EMT and promoted HeLa cell apoptosis. These findings indicate that miR-375 inhibits the malignant development of human cervical cancer cells by regulating the expression of YAP1.