miR-204 regulates the biological behavior of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by directly targeting FOXA1

Abstract

Abstract. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-proteincoding RNAs and transcripts that are 18-24 nt in length. miR-204 was first identified as an anti-oncogene and is reported to be downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer, glioma, gastric and thyroid cancer. Recent studies have proposed that a low level of miR-204 expression is associated with tumor progression and disease outcome in breast cancer. Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), a transcription factor, plays a crucial role in breast cancer and has been predicted as a target of miR-204. In the present study, we integrated the results of microarray analyses of breast cancer tissues obtained from an online database with our own determination of the expression of miR-204 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells using real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR). The proliferative capacity of the cells was assessed using MTT assays, and cell mobility and invasiveness were evaluated using cell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis. FOXA1 levels were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Luciferase assays were performed to confirm that FOXA1 is directly targeted by miR-204. The results showed that miR-204 was downregulated in breast cancer cells, and we found that miR-204 was expressed at a lower level in MCF-7 cells than that observed in normal breast epithelial HBL-100 cells. Overexpression of miR-204 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of FOXA1 at the protein level was significantly reduced after cells were transfected with miR-204-expressing viruses. Luciferase assays demonstrated that FOXA1 is a direct target of miR-204, which binds to FOXA1 in a complementary region. In conclusion, miR-204 regulates the biological behavior of breast cancer cells, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis, by directly targeting FOXA1. Thus, miR-204 may act as a tumor-suppressor, and the results of the present study provide a reference for future research into the potential mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression.

Interplay of lncRNA H19/miR‐675 and lncRNA NEAT1/miR‐204 in breast cancer

“…On the other hand, Shen et al . () revealed that miR‐204 acts as a tumor suppressor, since miR‐204 suppressed the malignant behavior of BC cells. Wang et al .…”

“…These and our findings indicate that NEAT1 seems to be an oncogene. On the other hand, Shen et al (2017) revealed that miR-204 acts as a tumor suppressor, since miR-204 suppressed the malignant behavior of BC cells. Wang et al (2015) reported that overexpression of miR-204 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in BC cells by targeting the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2).…”

Identification of competitive endogenous RNAs network in breast cancer

“…Many studies have reported that a low level of miR-204 expression was associated with tumor progression in breast cancer. 21,22 Mir-204 can directly target FOXA1 to regulate The cell proliferation levels were assessed using CCK-8 in BCAP-37 and MCF-7 cells after transfection with LINC00536-siRNA for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. (E and F) CDH2 and mir-204 expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR after transfection with LINC00536-siRNA the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells 21 and can affect tumor angiogenesis by regulating the expression of ANGPT1/ TGFBR2.…”

“…21,22 Mir-204 can directly target FOXA1 to regulate The cell proliferation levels were assessed using CCK-8 in BCAP-37 and MCF-7 cells after transfection with LINC00536-siRNA for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. (E and F) CDH2 and mir-204 expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR after transfection with LINC00536-siRNA the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells 21 and can affect tumor angiogenesis by regulating the expression of ANGPT1/ TGFBR2. 22 Chang et al suggested that miR-130b-5p from the miR-301b-130b cluster repressed the cyclin G2 gene in breast cancer cells.…”

miR‐511 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by targeting FGF4

“…For example, miR‐519d‐3p inhibits breast cancer cell growth and migration by targeting LIM domain kinase 1 . miR‐204 regulates the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cell MCF‐7 by directly targeting FOXA1 . An in‐depth study of the biological functions of miRs will help us better understand the mechanism of breast cancer progression and develop new treatment strategies.…”