MicroRNA-30c inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by targeting twinfilin 1 and indicates a poor prognosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have reported that microRNA-30c (miR-30c) has vital functions in the development and progression of multiple cancers.

Aim

To investigate the clinical significance and role of miR-30c in pancreatic cancer.

Methods

MiR-30c and twinfilin 1 (TWF1) expression levels were analyzed in Gene Expression Omnibus datasets and validated in human pancreatic cancer by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The effects of miR-30c on pancreatic cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and cell cycle were evaluated by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. Furthermore, the in vivo effects were investigated using a subcutaneous xenograft experiment. Target gene prediction software and luciferase reporter assays were used to identify TWF1 as a direct target of miR-30c.

Results

The expression of miR-30c was significantly decreased in pancreatic cancer tissues and associated with survival. Gain- and loss-of-function assays showed that miR-30c suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-30c directly targeted TWF1. The expression level of miR-30c was negatively correlated with TWF1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues. Furthermore, the effects of ectopic miR-30c were rescued by TWF1 overexpression.

Conclusion

Our results identified the role of the miR-30c/TWF1 axis in pancreatic cancer progression and demonstrated that miR-30c might serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

SUBMITTER: Sun LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6861845 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature