miR‐138‐5p inhibits proliferation and invasion in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma by targeting SINA3 and regulation of the Notch signaling pathway

Background The function of miR‐138‐5p as an oncogenic factor has been reported in certain cancers. This study was performed to analyze the potential involvement of miR‐138‐5p in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to explain the expression of miR‐138‐5p in cancer and paired non‐cancer tissues of KIRC patients. Subsequently, miR‐138‐5p expression in KIRC tissues and cell lines, as well as that in normal tissues and normal renal tubular epithelial cell line, was detected. Artificial overexpressing of miR‐138‐5p was applied to observe its effect on the biological behaviors of KIRC cells. The target mRNA of miR‐138‐5p, SIN3A, was predicted and validated. Altered expression of miR‐138‐5p and SIN3A was introduced to confirm their functions in KIRC proliferation and invasion. Results We showed that miR‐138‐5p was down‐regulated in tumor tissues of KIRC patients comparing to adjacent healthy tissues and linked to dismal prognosis in patients. miR‐138‐5p could hinder KIRC proliferation and invasion, while artificial overexpression of SIN3A led to reversed trends. SIN3A was a target mRNA of miR‐138‐5p. miR‐138‐5p and SIN3A together affect the activation of the Notch signaling pathway. Conclusion This study evidenced that up‐regulated miR‐138‐5p inhibits proliferation and invasion of KIRC cells involving the transcription of SIN3A and the following regulation of the Notch signaling pathway.