MicroRNA-143 functions as a tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma by targeting bone morphogenetic protein-7

Abstract

IntroductionNeuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common types of extracranial malignant solid tumor in infants and children. MicroRNA-143 (miR-143) was reported to be dysregulated in several human cancers. However, the function and mechanism of miR-143 in NB are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the biological functions of miR-143 in NB progression.Material and methodsThe expression of miR-143 in 32 NB tissue samples and 4 NB cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Then, bioinformatics analysis combined with luciferase reporter assay were used to identify the target gene of miR-143 in SK-N-SH cells. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assay were performed to investigate the roles of miR-143 in NB progression.ResultsOur study revealed that miR-143 was significantly downregulated in NB tissues as well as cell lines. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) was a direct target of miR-143 in NB cells and inversely associated with the expression of miR-143 in NB tissues. Overexpression of miR-143 inhibited NB cell proliferation, migration and invasion through targeting BMP7.ConclusionsOur data for the first time demonstrated that miR-143 functions as a tumor suppressor in NB by directly targeting BMP7, and also suggest miR-143 as a potential thera­peutic target for NB patients in the future.