MicroRNA-490-3p suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration by targeting the aurora kinase A gene (AURKA)

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and prevalent cancer type among liver cancers. In this study, expression of miR-490-3p and aurora kinase A gene (AURKA) was investigated in HCC. Additionally, we explored the microRNA (miR)-490-3p/AURKA relationship as well as the influence on HCC cell proliferation and migration. Material and methods: The dual luciferase reporter assay serves to verify the target relationship between miR-490-3p and AURKA. miR-490-3p mimics, AURKA siRNA and AURKA cDNA, were transfected into HCC cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were chosen for examining the relative expression of miR-490-3p and AURKA in HCC tissues, adjacent tissues, HCC cells and normal cells. The study detected the proliferation of HCC cells with the application of MTT assay and colony formation assay. Transwell assay was applied for the observation of migration, and wound healing assay for invasion. Results: The experiment results showed that miR-490-3p expression was down-regulated and AURKA expression was up-regulated in HCC cells and tissues. AURKA was the target gene of miR-490-3p and overexpression of miR-490-3p could inhibit the expression of AURKA in HCC cells. miR-490-3p overexpression could inhibit HCC cell migration and invasion, while AURKA promoted HCC cell migration. All experiment results indicated that miR-490-3p was low-expressed while AURKA was over-expressed in HCC cells and tissues compared to normal liver cells and tissues. Conclusions: miR-490-3p could down-regulate the expression of AURKA, thus suppressing the proliferation and migration of HCC cells.

MicroRNA-based regulation of Aurora A kinase in breast cancer

“…The epigenetic regulation of AURKA by miR-4715-3p has also been reported in gastrointestinal cancers using in silico prediction [23]. MicroRNA-490-3p suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration by targeting AURKA [80]. Importantly, the expression of miR-32-3p has been reported to suppress AURKA but the mechanism of action deserves closer attention at both atomic and molecular levels [19].…”

“…AURKA has been established as a legit oncogene and thus, a vital therapeutic target in cancer [19]. Its expression has been shown to be modulated by small molecules including microRNAs in cancers [20][21][22][23].…”

Function and regulation of F‑box/WD repeat‑containing protein 7 (Review)

“…Aurora A (also known as serine/threonine protein kinase 15) serves a role in mitosis and meiosis by regulating the phosphorylation of specific substrates, and its activity is the highest during G 2 /S phase transition ( 76 ). Aurora A is overexpressed in a variety of tumors, resulting in abnormal centrosome expansion, increased chromosomal instability and eventual carcinogenic transformation ( 76 , 77 ). FBXW7-deficient HCT116 and HeLa cells exposed to vincristine, paclitaxel and spindle toxin exhibit extensive mitotic delay and nuclear duplication, which are important causes of polyploidy.…”

CircRNA LRIG3 knockdown inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-223-3p and MAPK/ERK pathway

“…12 MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs (~ 22 nucleotides), play regulatory roles in disease through interaction with mRNAs. [13][14][15][16] MiR-223 has been identified to play an anti-cancer role in HCC and it might be a possible therapeutic target for treating HCC. 17 However, the connection between circ_LRIG3 and miR-223-3p has not been reported.…”