miR-124 interacts with the Notch1 signalling pathway and has therapeutic potential against gastric cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Aberrant Notch signalling is implicated in cancer progression.
• The interplay between microRNAs (miRNAs) and the Notch pathway in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of miR-124 in gastric cancer.
• To elucidate the relationship between miR-124 and Notch signalling in GC.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR to assess miR-124 expression in GC tissues.
• Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays.
• Western blotting and luciferase reporter assays to validate target genes and signalling pathways.

Main Results:

• miR-124 was significantly down-regulated in GC tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues.
• Forced miR-124 expression suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest.
• miR-124 directly targeted JAG1, negatively regulating Notch1 signalling.
• Overexpression of Notch1 intracellular domain repressed miR-124, while Notch1 inhibition by a γ-secretase inhibitor upregulated miR-124.

Conclusions:

• A regulatory feedback loop exists between miR-124 and Notch1 signalling in GC cells.
• The miR-124/Notch axis represents a promising therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.