title: MicroRNA-212 inhibits osteosarcoma cells proliferation and invasion by down-regulation of Sox4.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development and progression of osteosarcoma. However, the expression and roles of miR-212 in osteosarcoma remain largely undefined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Real-time PCR assays were used to detect the expression of miR-212 in human osteosarcoma tissues. MiR-212 mimics were introduced into MG63 and U2OS cells. Bioinformatic prediction was used to identify the potential targets of miR-212. Protein expression analysis, luciferase assays and rescue assays were used to confirm the substrate of miR-212.
  
  
  RESULTS
  miR-212 was significantly down-regulated in human osteosarcoma tissues, compared with adjacent normal tissues. Introduction of miR-212 mimics into MG63 and U2OS cells inhibited cell proliferation and invasion. Besides, miR-212 overexpression could also inhibit tumor growth in the nude mice. Additionally, bioinformatic prediction suggested that the sex-determining region Y-box 4 (Sox4) is a target gene of miR-212. Sox4 inhibition phenocopied the roles of miR-212, while restored expression of Sox4 dampened miR-212-mediated suppression of tumor progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The miR-212/Sox4 interaction plays an important role of in the osteosarcoma progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ji
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Da-Gang
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Tian-Le
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yan-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zheng-Xue
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: C551411:MIRN212 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C083431:SOX4 protein, human; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors