MicroRNA-98 regulates invasion and migration of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma by targeting N-Ras

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA (miRNA, miR)-98 on suppression of proliferation, migration and invasion in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Methods The expression of miR-98 was compared between SACC tissues and the adjacent tissues of 3 patients, as well as between SACC cell lines by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Bioinfornatics analysis predicted miR-98 targeting site in gene N-Ras. N-Ras expression was detected in SACC tissues using immunohistochemistry. And the associations between N-Ras expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. The effects of miR-98 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of SACC cell lines were also determined. Finally, the target relationship between miR-98 and N-Ras was identified by Dual-Luciferase Assay system, RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results The expression of miR-98 in SACC tissues and ACC-M cells were both significantly lower than those in adjacent tissues and SACC-83 cells. N-Ras was overexpressed in SACC tissues and its overexpression was associated with the clinical stage and tumor size. After transfection of miR-98 mimics to ACC-M cells, the ability of cell proliferation reduced; invasion cell number reduced from 158.0±5.5 of control group to 92.0±4.7 of experimental group (t=15.800, P=0.000); and the migration ability reduced from (0.42±6.30)mm to (0.25±6.00) mm (t=4.630, P=0.001). While the downregulation of miR-98 increased the ability of proliferation. Invasion cell number increased from 88.0±4.0 to 123.0±10.6 (t=5.254, P=0.006) and migration distance increased from (0.15±7.50) mm to (0.38±8.80) mm after transfected with miR-98 inhibitor (t=9.109, P=0.000). At last, the target relationship between miR-98 and N-Ras was indentified by Dual-Luciferase Assay System. Conclusion MiR-98 can regulate invasion and migration of SACC via targeting N-Ras. Key words: MicroRNA-98; Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma; Invasion; Migration