MiR-769 Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Targeting HEY1

Med Sci Monit. 2018 Dec 19:24:9232-9239. doi: 10.12659/MSM.911663.

Abstract

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely recognized as essential regulators in human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Whether miR-769 is implicated in CRC progression remains elusive. The present study aimed to determine the function of miR-769 in CRC. MATERIAL AND METHODS MiR-769 expression in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was utilized to determine the association between miR-769 expression and prognosis in CRC patients. The effects of miR-769 overexpression on CRC cell proliferation, cell cycle and invasion were analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and Transwell assays. Western blot was utilized to assess the effect of miR-769 on HEY1 expression. RESULTS MiR-769 expression was decreased in CRC tissues. MiR-769 level was negatively correlated with the prognosis of CRC patients. Additionally, miR-769 overexpression remarkably inhibited cell proliferation, arrested CRC cells in G0 stage, and reduced cellular invasion. As to the mechanism, HEY1 was a direct target of miR-769; HEY1 level was inversely correlated with that of miR-769 in CRC tissues. Finally, overexpression of HEY1 reversed the effects of miR-769 on cell proliferation and invasion in CRC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that miR-769 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of CRC cells through targeting HEY1, which implied that miR-769 might be a novel therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • HEY1 protein, human
  • MIRN769 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs