miR-203a-3p inhibits migration and invasion of HCC cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition via SLUG

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-203a-3p on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group (human HCC cell line), miRNA-NC group (transfected with mimics control) and miR-203a-3p group (transfected with miR-203a-3p mimic). Transwell and scratch test were used to assess the invasion and migration ability. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-203a-3p and zinc finger transcription factor (SLUG). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-203a-3p and SLUG mRNA. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression levels of SLUG protein, E-cadherin, Occludin, N-cadherin and Vimentin. The tumorigenicity ability of transfected cells was detected in nude mice. Results There was no significant difference in invasion and migration ability of cells between control group and miRNA-NC group, and the expression levels of miR-203a-3p, SLUG mRNA, SLUG protein and epithelial mesenchymal transition related protein between the two groups were not significantly different, (P>0.05). In miR-203a-3p group, the invasion and migration ability was significantly decreased. The expression levels of SLUG mRNA, SLUG protein, N-cadherin and Vimentin in miR-203a-3p group were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of miR-203a-3p, E-cadherin and Occludin were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion MiR-203a-3p may inhibit the migration and invasion of HCC cells by inhibiting EMT via regulating SLUG.

Key words: MiR-203a-3p, Zinc finger transcription factor, Hepatocellular carcinoma cells, Epithelial mesenchymal transition, Migration, Invasion

ZHANG Guo-bing, XU Jiang-hai, WANG Dong-feng. miR-203a-3p inhibits migration and invasion of HCC cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition via SLUG[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2021, 26(12): 1339-1343.

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