miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a induced by phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 promote the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer.
BACKGROUND
Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) is an oncogene known to promote tumour metastasis, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we demonstrate that the miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a expressions induced by PRL-3 are involved in the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer.


METHODS
Microarray analysis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR) were used to investigate the changes in miRNA expression due to the overexpression of PRL-3. Transwell chamber invasion assays, CCK-8 proliferation assays and RNA interference assays were used to explore the effects of PRL-3 on miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a expression in colon cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were performed in colon cancer tissues to evaluate the expression of PRL-3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a.


RESULTS
Our study demonstrated that the overexpression of PRL-3 in colon cancer cells induced the expression of miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a by activating STAT3. Subsequently, these microRNAs contributed to the increased proliferation and invasiveness of the colon cancer cells. Positive correlations between PRL-3 and these microRNAs were also observed in matched primary colon cancer tissues and metastatic lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
miR-21, miR-17 and miR-19a induced by PRL-3 contribute to the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer.
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun-Yat-Sen University, 107 Yanjiang West Road, Guangzhou 510120, China.
J
J
Zhang
Z
Z
Xiao
D
D
Lai
J
J
Sun
C
C
He
Z
Z
Chu
H
H
Ye
S
S
Chen
J
J
Wang
D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D012844:Sincalide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D035683:MicroRNAs; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; C484730:PTP4A3 protein, human; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; D012844:Sincalide