title: MicroRNA-7 inhibits the malignant phenotypes of non‑small cell lung cancer in vitro by targeting Pax6.
abstract: MicroRNA (miR)-7 has been reported to act as a suppressor in several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, paired box 6 (Pax6), a highly conserved transcriptional factor, has been implicated in NSCLC. However, the exact role of miR-7, and the association between miR-7 and Pax6 in NSCLC cells remain to be fully elucidated. The present study demonstrated that miR-7 was downregulated and Pax6 was upregulated in NSCLC cell lines. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that overexpression of miR-7 notably inhibited the protein expression of Pax6, while inhibition of miR-7 enhanced the protein expression of Pax6 in NSCLC A549 cells. Further investigation identified Pax6 as a target of miR-7 in A549 NSCLC cells. Ina ddition, the overexpression of miR-7 significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation and invasion, which was reversed by upregulation of Pax6. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanism revealed that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were downregulated in the miR-7-overexpressed A549 cells, but were activated in the Pax6-overexpressed A549 cells. Based on these findings, it was suggested that miR-7 negatively regulates the protein level of Pax6, which can promote the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells via activation of the ERK and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, miR-7/Pax6 may offer potential for use as a target for the treatment of NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Research, Jishou University College of Medicine, Jishou, Hunan 416000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jiashun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Research, Jishou University College of Medicine, Jishou, Hunan 416000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chunfang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C549242:MIRN7-1 microRNA, human; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human