MicroRNA-182 promoted esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth and metastasis via targeting YWHAG.

Purpose: To study the functioning mode of miR-182 on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell growth and metastasis and provide therapeutic targets for ESCC.

Methods: miR-182 expression level in ESCC cell lines was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Using miR-182 inhibitor, we analyzed the effects of miR-182 down-expression on cell proliferation, invasion, cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Dual-luciferase activity assay was used to examine the potential target gene YWHAG which was predicted by several databases. Protein level was studied using western blotting.

Results: Decreased expression of miR-182 in ESCC cells was accompanied by decreased cell invasion and proliferation, promotion of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Dual-luciferase and western blot confirmed YWHAG as a target gene of miR-182. Furthermore, silence of YWHAG counteracted the suppressive effect of miR-182 down-expression on cell growth and metastasis.

Conclusions: miR-182 could suppress ESCC cell proliferation and metastasis via regulating YWHAG, which might provide a new target for ESCC diagnosis and therapy.