Purpose: To investigate whether microRNA-19a can promote the proliferative and migratory abilities of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by target inhibition of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10, PTEN) expression, thus leading to the development of NSCLC.
Methods: The expression level of microRNA-19a in NSCLC tissues, paracancerous tissues and normal lung tissues was detected by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The regulatory effects of microRNA-19a on proliferative and migratory abilities of NSCLC cells were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The binding condition between microRNA-19a and PTEN was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. PTEN expression in NSCLC cells transfected with microRNA-19a mimic or inhibitor was detected by Western blot. Rescue experiments were conducted by co-transfection of microRNA-19a mimic and pcDNA-PTEN in NSCLC cells, followed by detection of cell proliferation, colony formation and migration.
Results: QRT-PCR data showed higher expression of microRNA-19a in NSCLC tissues and cell lines than that of controls. Overexpression of microRNA-19a in NSCLC A549 and H1299 cell lines promoted proliferative and migratory abilities. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the binding site between microRNA-19a and PTEN. PTEN expression was negatively regulated by microRNA-19a both at mRNA and protein levels. Rescue experiments showed that PTEN overexpression could partially reverse the regulatory effects of microRNA-19a on promoting proliferative and migratory abilities of NSCLC cells.
Conclusions: Higher expression of microRNA-19a promotes proliferative and migratory abilities of NSCLC cells by target inhibiting PTEN expression.