MicroRNA-524-5p suppresses cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis in gastric cancer by regulating CASP3.

Objective: To investigate miR-524-5p expression in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and the regulatory mechanism of miR-524-5p on biological behaviors of GC cell lines, such as proliferation, cell apoptosis and cycle.

Materials And Methods: The expression of miR-524-5p was detected in 48 paired of GC tissue samples and matched adjacent tissues, and also detected in GC cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Using miR-524-5p mimics, we analyzed the effects of overexpressed miR-524-5p on cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cycle. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase activity assay and Western blot were recruited to validate the potential target gene of miR-524-5p.

Results: The expression of miR-524-5p was significantly decreased in GC tissue samples and cell lines. Increased miR-524-5p in GC cells significantly decreased cell proliferation capacity, promoted cell apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, while decreased miR-524-5p exerted the opposite effects. Dual-luciferase, qRT-PCR and Western blot confirmed CASP3 as a target gene of miR-524-5p. Furthermore, recovery of CASP3 expression attenuated the suppressive effect of miR-524-5p on cell growth.

Conclusions: MiR-524-5p participates in the development of GC via regulating CASP3, which might provide a new prospect for GC diagnosis and therapy.