title: MicroRNA-216a inhibits pancreatic cancer by directly targeting Janus kinase 2.
abstract: MicroRNA (miR)-216a expression is significantly downregulated in human pancreatic cancer, however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, we aimed to identify and characterize the direct target gene and potential function of miR-216a in pancreatic cancer cells. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) was a direct target gene of miR-216a. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis demonstrated that miR-216a decreased the mRNA and protein levels of JAK2 in pancreatic cancer cells. Phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was also downregulated by miR-216a, whereas the anti-miR-216a treatment had an opposite effect. Treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with miR-216a significantly inhibited cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis. In addition, the downstream genes of JAK2/STAT3, survivin and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, which are anti‑apoptotic genes, were also decreased by miR-216a. Moreover, miR-216a overexpression markedly inhibited the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Compared with miR-216a treatment, anti-miR-216a treatment exhibited opposite effects throughout the entire experiment, confirming the inhibitory effect of miR-216a on pancreatic cancer by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results provided evidence that miR-216a targeting JAK2 negatively regulated the development of pancreatic cancer cells and may be used to develop a miRNA-based therapeutic strategy against pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning 110022, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Siliang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning 110022, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning 110022, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Meiyue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D053614:Janus Kinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: C575482:MIRN216 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein; C496866:XIAP protein, human; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2