MiRNA-20a-5p promotes the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells through targeting RUNX3

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 103; pp. 1482 - 1489
• Main Authors: Bai, Xiangdong, Han, Guohui, Liu, Yang, Jiang, Hongchuan, He, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - genetics; Base Sequence; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - genetics; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit - genetics; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit - metabolism; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Middle Aged; miR-20a-5p; Neoplasm Invasiveness; RUNX3; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Triple-negative breast cancer; Cell proliferation; RUNX3; miR-20a-5p; Triple-negative breast cancer
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.165

[Display omitted] Increasing evidence showed that microRNAs (miRNAs) were abnormally expressed in cancers and made effects on the tumorigenesis. Aberrant expression of miR-20a-5p has been reported in human breast carcinoma. However, the functional mechanism of miR-20a-5p in human breast carcinoma, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), required further investigations. Here, firstly, we determined that miR-20a-5p was highly expressed in both TNBC tissues and cell lines. Then, we explored that the overexpression of miR-20a-5p promoted the migration and invasion of TNBC cells in vitro. The tendency was significantly reversed after the depletion of miR-20a-5p. Consistent result could be obtained with the in vivo nude mice tumorigenesis. Thirdly, the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated. The Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) was identified as a target of miR-20a-5p in TNBC cells. High expression of miR-20a-5p significantly decreased both the mRNA and protein levels of RUNX3, as well as its direct downstream targets Bim and p21. These results verified the significance of miR-20a-5p and explored its functional mechanisms in TNBC, suggesting the potential clinical applications of miR-20a-5p in TNBC.