MiR-26a-5p Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Enhances Doxorubicin Sensitivity in HCC Cells via Targeting AURKA.

Objective: To investigate the role of miR-26a-5p in cell proliferation and doxorubicin sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We evaluated miR-26a-5p expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to examine cell proliferation. Relationship between miR-26a-5p and aurora kinase A was evaluated by luciferase report system. Western blot was used to detect expression of aurora kinase A.

Results: In this study, we observed miR-26a-5p was downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Gain-of-function experiments showed that proliferation rate of hepatocellular carcinoma cells decreased under condition of miR-26a-5p mimics. We found miR-26a-5p mimics could enhance doxorubicin sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Further study showed that aurora kinase A was target gene of miR-26a-5p. Suppression of aurora kinase A could lead to lower cell proliferation and higher doxorubicin sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Conclusion: Our study found that miR-26a-5p could inhibit cell proliferation and enhance doxorubicin sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting aurora kinase A.