MiR-21 promotes EGF-induced pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by targeting Spry2.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant cancer that lacks effective targets for therapy. Alteration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression has been recognized as an essential molecular event in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play critical roles in EGF signaling regulation, tumor initiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Here, we demonstrated that miR-21 expression was induced by EGF in pancreatic cancer cells. miR-21 promoted EGF-induced proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis and accelerated cell cycle progression. In vivo experiments confirmed the influence of miR-21 on tumor growth. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-21 targeted MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to modulate cell proliferation. In add

SUBMITTER: Zhao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249286 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature