Effects of miR-93 on proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of miR-93 on proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells and the possible mechanism. Methods: The expression levels of miR-93 and the naked cuticle homolog 2 (NKD2) in 6 osteosarcoma cell lines (143B, HuO9, Saos2, MG63, U2OS and G292) and one osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot assays, respectively. MiR-93 down-regulated 143B and HuO9 cells were constructed by lipofection transfection, and their proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to determine whether the 3'UTR of NKD2 mRNA was a binding target of miR-93. In addition, 143B cells were transfected with NKD2 cDNA, and the effects of NKD2 on proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells were investigated. Results: Up-regulation of miR-93 and down-regulation of NKD2 were detected in osteosarcoma cell lines. MTT and flow cytometry assays showed that miR-93 promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-93 targeted NKD2 directly. In addition, overexpression of NKD2 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells were found. Conclusions: MiR-93 targets NKD2 to promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. The findings may have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.