Open AccessMicroRNA-342 Prohibits Proliferation and Invasion of Melanoma Cells by Directly Targeting Zinc-Finger E-Box-Binding Homeobox 1
Author(s) -
Quan Shi,
Qi He,
Jing Wei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
oncology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1555-3906
pISSN - 0965-0407
DOI - 10.3727/096504018x15193823766141
Subject(s) - homeobox , ectopic expression , melanoma , microrna , gene knockdown , zinc finger , cancer research , cell growth , biology , cell culture , gene expression , gene , genetics , transcription factor
As documented in numerous studies, microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in various biological processes associated with melanoma occurrence and development. In this study, we found that miRNA-342 (miR-342) was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Additionally, the ectopic expression of miR-342 prohibited the cell proliferation and invasion of melanoma. Moreover, zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-342 in melanoma. Similar with the results induced by miR-342 overexpression, ZEB1 knockdown attenuated cell proliferation and invasion in melanoma. Furthermore, the restoration of ZEB1 expression reversed the suppressive effects of miR-342 on the proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells. These findings suggest that miR-342 may play tumor-suppressing roles in melanoma, at least partially, by directly inhibiting ZEB1 expression. Therefore, miR-342 may be developed as a potential candidate for the treatment of patients with this aggressive type of cancer.