miRNA-221 promotes cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting PTEN

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

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[1] Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, 226001, Nantong, China;Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, 226001, Nantong, China;Department of Pathology, The First People’s Hospital of Nantong, 226001, Nantong, China;

关键词: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma;    miRNA-221;    PTEN;    Proliferation;    Treatment;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s11658-018-0131-z

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a common type of skin malignancy. MicroRNA-221 (miRNA-221) is a critical non-coding RNA in tumor initiation and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms of miRNA-221 in the development of CSCC remain unknown. This study investigated the expression of miRNA-221 in CSCC and its potential tumor biological functions.MethodsMTT assay, colony assay, PCR, and Western blot were adopted.ResultsIn this study, miRNA-221 expression was significantly higher in CSCC tissues and cell lines than in normal tissues and cells (P < 0.05). Further functional experiments indicated that miRNA-221 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and cell cycle, while upregulation of miRNA-221 presented the opposite role. The dual reporter gene assays indicated that PTEN is a direct target gene of miRNA-221. PTEN protein or mRNA levels were decreased after the cells were transfected with miR-221 mimics.ConclusionsTaken together, the obtained results indicated that miR-221 plays an oncogenic function in CSCC by targeting PTEN and further suggest that miR-221 may be a potential target for CSCC diagnosis and treatment.

【 授权许可】

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