MiR-129-5p promotes docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer by down-regulating CAMK2N1 expression.

This study focuses on the effect of miR-129-5p on docetaxel-resistant (DR) prostate cancer (PCa) cells invasion, migration and apoptosis. In our study, the expression of CAMK2N1 was assessed by qRT-PCR in PCa patient tissues and cell lines including PC-3 and PC-3-DR. Cells transfected with miR-129-5p mimics, inhibitor, CAMK2N1 or negative controls (NC) were used to interrogate their effects on DR cell invasions, migrations and apoptosis during docetaxel (DTX) treatments. The apoptosis rate of the PCa cells was validated by flow cytometry. Relationships between miR-129-5p and CAMK2N1 levels were identified by qRT-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay. CAMK2N1 was found to be down-expressed in DR PCa tissue sample, and low levels of CAMK2N1 were correlated with high docetaxel resistance and clinical prediction of poor survival. CAMK2N1 levels were decreased in DR PCa cells treated with DXT. We further explored that up-regulation of miR-129-5p could promote DR PCa cells viability, invasion and migration but demote apoptosis. Involved molecular mechanism studies revealed that miR-129-5p reduced downstream CAMK2N1 expression to further impact on chemoresistance to docetaxel of PCa cells, indicating its vital role in PCa docetaxel resistance. Our findings revealed that miR-129-5p contributed to the resistance of PC-3-DR cells to docetaxel through suppressing CAMK2N1 expression, and thus targeting miR-129-5p may provide a novel therapeutic approach in sensitizing PCa to future docetaxel treatment.