MiR-125a-5p inhibits cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration while promoting apoptosis in head and neck cancers by targeting ERBB3. Issue 3 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Mimi; Zhan, Jiandong; Xie, Jiaxuan; Zhu, Lijun; Chen, Liangsi; Luo, Xiaoning; Sheng, Xiaoli; Liu, Tao; Zhang, Siyi; Lu, Zhongming
• Is Part Of: Auris nasus larynx. Volume 48:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 477
• Page End: 486
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Head and neck cancer -- MicroRNA-125a-5p -- Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3 -- Proliferation -- Cell cycle; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2020.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-8146

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Head and neck cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide. MicroRNAs play a vital regulatory role in the occurrence and development of cancer. The objective of this study is to explore the mechanism of miR-125a-5p in the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells and define its target genes. Methods: The effects of miR-125a-5p on head and neck cancer cells proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and migration were evaluated by colony formation, BrdU assay, flow cytometry and transwell assays. The potential target gene of miR-125a-5p was determined by luciferase activity assay and western blot analysis. Results: In this study, overexpression of miR-125a-5p significantly inhibited the proliferation of head and neck cancer cells, whereas inhibition of miR-125a-5p enhanced their proliferation. BrdU assay and flow cytometry revealed that miR-125a-5p might inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells by causing cell cycle arrest. Cell apoptosis assay and Transwell assay indicated that miR-125a-5p induced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration of cancer cells. Other experiments confirmed that miR-125a-5p could significantly downregulate its expression by binding to ERBB3 to inhibit proliferation and ERBB3 could at least partially mediate the inhibition of miR-125a-5p on the proliferation of head and neck cancer cells. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggested that the miR-125a-5p/ERBB3 axis might play a role in the proliferation, regulation of cell cycle, migration and apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells, potentially offering a new target for treatments of head and neck cancers.