Curcumin targeting miR-761 influences proliferation and apoptosis of colon cancer cells through GSK-3β regulation

Abstract

Abnormal miR-761 expression involves in colon cancer and curcumin has a significant anti-tumor cell proliferation effect. In this study, we investigated whether curcumin targeting miR-761 can affect colon cancer cells. Control group (NC group), miR-761 Mimics group, and miR-761 Mimics+curcumin group were set up. miR-761 and GSK-3β levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual fluorescein report detected the relation between miR-761 and GSK-3β along with analysis of cell proliferation by cloning assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Compared with normal tissues, miR-761 expression in colon cancer tissues was lower (P <0.01), while GSK-3β level was higher (P < 0.01). Dual fluorescein report analysis showed GSK-3β as a target of miR-761. Compared with NC group, clone number in miR-761 Mimics group decreased, the proliferation capacity decreased, and apoptotic number increased. While compared with miR-761 Mimics group, clone number in miR-761 Mimics+curcumin cells increased, proliferation capacity increased, and apoptotic number decreased. Curcumin targeting miR-761 can inhibit GSK-3β expression, inhibit colon cancer cells proliferation and promote apoptosis. However, when the pCDNA-GSK-3β plasmid overexpresses GSK-3β, it can prevent the action of miR-761.