title: miR-31 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MicroRNAs are frequently altered in numerous cancers and are critical regulators of various diseases. miR-31 has been shown to be significantly altered in a variety of cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we measured the expression level of miR-31 in cervical cancer, CIN and normal cervical tissues by real-time RT (reverse transcription)-PCR. We also analyzed the correlations between the expression level of miR-31 and the clinical characteristics in cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, we measured the expression of miR-31 in cervical cancer cell lines, and transfected HPV16 E6 siRNA and HPV16 E7 siRNA into SiHa cells to investigate the effects on miR-31. Finally, the effects of miR-31 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were measured in HeLa and SiHa cells that were transfected with a miR-31 mimic or a negative control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the expression level of miR-31 was significantly higher in cervical cancer patients than in normal individuals (P < 0.05). Aberrant expression of miR-31 was positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis (LNM), vessel invasion and HPV status (P < 0.05). Additionally, miR-31 was also overexpressed in the cervical cancer-derived HeLa and SiHa cells compared with C33A cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, a relationship was found between miR-31 expression and the HPV16 oncoproteins E6/E7. Furthermore, we found that the overexpression of miR-31 can promote cell proliferation and enhance the migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggested that miR-31 plays an oncogenetic role in the development and progression of cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China. zwj4949@163.com.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China. zw6676@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, The People Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, Guanxi, China. huxxia@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoxia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014162:Transfection; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C068651:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; C534612:MIRN31 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C059731:oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
keywords: Biological function; Cervical cancer; HPV; miR-31