microRNA-338-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in human non‑small‑cell lung carcinoma and targets Ras-related protein 14.
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to be important gene regulators with critical roles in diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence suggests that miR‑338-3p exerts a tumor suppressor role and is downregulated in tumors, including gastric cancer and colorectal carcinoma. However, the role of miR‑338-3p in lung cancer, particularly non‑small‑cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), has remained elusive. In the present study, the expression levels of miR‑338-3p in NSCLC tissues were compared with those of matched normal tissues by use of polymerase chain reaction analysis. miR-338-3p was shown to be downregulated in NSCLC tissues, and the expression levels of miR‑338‑3p were significantly correlated with NSCLC cancer differentiation, pathological stage and lymph‑node metastasis. Ectopic miR-338-3p expression significantly suppressed the in vitro proliferation and colony formation of NSCLC cells and enhanced apoptosis. Of note, ectopic miR‑338-3p expression significantly inhibited Ras‑related protein 14 (RAB14) mRNA and protein expression, and reduced luciferase reporter activity containing the RAB14 3'-untranslated region through the first binding site. These findings suggested that miR‑338-3p regulated the survival of NSCLC cells partially through the downregulation of RAB14. Therefore, targeting the miR‑338-3p/RAB14 interaction may serve as a novel therapeutic application to treat NSCLC patients.
Institute of Cancer Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China.
Jiangtao
J
Sun
Institute of Cancer Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China.
Xiaoshang
X
Feng
Institute of Cancer Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China.
Shegan
S
Gao
Institute of Cancer Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China.
Zhongyue
Z
Xiao
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014162:Transfection; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; C532050:MIRN338 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C553411:Rab14 protein, human; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins