phosphors, which may contribute to future research in designing novel solid phosphors by modifying composition of the host lattice to affect crystal field splitting and centroid shift, and then adjusting emission wavelengths to match the purposed application.
Background
Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play multiple roles in human cancers through regulating mRNAs and distinct pathways. This paper focused on the functions of miR-4429 in prostate cancer (PCa) progression and the molecules involved.
Methods
Expression of miR-4429 in PCa tissues and cells was determined. Upregulation of miR-4429 was introduced in PCa cells to examine its role in the malignant behaviors of cells. The putative target mRNA of miR-4429 involved in PCa progression was predicted from a bioinformatic system and validated through luciferase assays. Overexpression of distal-less homeobox 1 (DLX1) was further induced in cells to validate its implication in miR-4429-mediated events. The activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway was determined.
Results
miR-4429 was poorly expressed in PCa tissues and cells. Artificial upregulation of miR-4429 significantly reduced proliferation, growth, invasion, migration and resistance to death of cancer cells and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. DLX1 mRNA was found as a target of miR-4429. Upregulation of DLX1 restored the malignant behaviors of PCa cells which were initially suppressed by miR-4429, and it activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Conclusion
Our study highlights that miR-4429 inhibits the growth of PCa cells by down-regulating DLX1 and inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This finding may offer novel insights into PCa treatment.
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