MicroRNA-374a Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Targeting Mitogen-Inducible Gene 6 (MIG-6)

Oncol Res. 2018 May 7;26(4):557-563. doi: 10.3727/096504017X15000784459799. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with poor prognosis rates and ineffective therapeutic options. Previous studies have reported the involvement of mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) as a negative regulator in tumor formation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development of different types of cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in HCC are poorly understood. This study was aimed to investigate the role of miR-374a in HCC and its role in the regulation of expression of MIG-6. The results showed that MIG-6 overexpression significantly inhibited cell viability of HepG2 cells after 4 days posttransfection. Moreover, MIG-6 was a direct target of miR-374a, and the expression of MIG-6 was remarkably downregulated by the overexpression of miR-374a in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of miR-374a promoted cell viability; however, the protective effect was abolished by MIG-6 overexpression. In addition, overexpression of miR-374a activated the EGFR and AKT/ERK signaling pathways by regulation of MIG-6. Our findings suggest that miR-374a could promote cell viability by targeting MIG-6 and activating the EGFR and AKT/ERK signaling pathways. These data provide a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • ERRFI1 protein, human
  • MIRN374 microRNA 374, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins