MiR-17-5p inhibits invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting effect on AKT3

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of microRNA (miR)-17-5p on the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods Expression of miR-17-5p in the normal human L-02 hepatocyte and QGY-7703 HCC cells was detected by RT-PCR. QGY-7703 HCC cells were transfected by miR-17-5p mimic and mimic control respectively. Influence of miR-17-5p on the invasion and metastasis ability of HCC cells was detected using Transwell assay and scratch test. Target gene of miR-17-5p was confirmed by bioinformatic analysis, and its expression in HCC cells was detected by Western blot. After siRNA silenced by target gene, the invasion and metastasis ability of HCC cells were observed. Comparison of microRNA in the two kinds of cells was conducted by t test. Results Expression level of miR-17-5p in HCC cells was 0.16±0.04, significantly lower than 1.01±0.19 in normal L-02 hepatocytes (t=-9.67, P<0.05). Number of trans-membrane cells and metastasis rate of HCC cells transfected by miR-17-5p mimic were respectively 36±4 and (5.37±0.15) mm/d, significantly lower than 62±7 and (7.50±0.01) mm/d of control group (t=-15.40, -32.00; P<0.05). Bioinformatic analysis showed that AKT3 was the key target gene of miR-17-5p, and the expression of AKT3 in HCC cells was obviously higher than that of normal hepatocyte. Number of trans-membrane cells and metastasis rate of HCC cells transfected by siRNA-AKT3 were respectively 13±3 and (4.13±0.15) mm/d, significantly lower than 58±3 and (7.23±0.25) mm/d of control group (t=-17.88, -53.69; P<0.05). Conclusion miR-17-5p inhibits the invasion and metastasis ability of HCC cells through targeting effect on AKT3. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; miR-17-5p; AKT3; Neoplasm invasiveness; Cell migration