Tumor suppressive microRNA‑429 regulates cellular function by targeting VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the predominant and most aggressive type of kidney malignancy, however, the mechanism underlying its carcinogenesis remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to determine the expression and function of microRNA (miR)‑429 in ccRCC carcinogenesis. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR‑429 in ccRCC specimens. Following transfection of miR‑429 synthetic mimics, the expression of miR‑429 was examined and cell proliferation, cell migration, apoptosis and luciferase assays were conducted in ccRCC cell lines. The results demonstrated that expression of miR‑429 was decreased in ccRCC cells. In addition, upregulation of miR‑429 by transfection of mimics reduced cellular proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis in ACHN and 786‑0 cell lines. Furthermore, miR‑429 decreased the 3'UTR luciferase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and c‑MYC, and RT‑qPCR analysis demonstrated that the cancer cells transfected with miR‑429 mimics exhibited decreased expression of VEGF, but not c‑MYC. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to reveal that downregulated miR‑429 functioned as a tumor suppressor by restraining cellular proliferation and migration, and inducing apoptosis, as well as targeting VEGF in ccRCC cells.