miR-376c inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by targeting BMI1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. The purposes of this study were to explore the role of miR-376c in cervical cancer and to clarify the regulation of BMI1 by miR-376c. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure miR-376c expression in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. The cell proliferation, cell cycle and Transwell invasion assays were performed. A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the target gene of miR-376c, and the results were validated in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues. MiR-376c was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer cell lines and clinical tissues. Upregulation of miR-376c impaired cell proliferation, blocked G1/S checkpoint of cell cycle and suppressed cell invasion in vitro. BMI1 was verified as a direct target of miR-376c, which was further confirmed by the inverse expression of miR-376c and BMI1 in patient specimens. The newly identified miR-376c/BMI1 pathway provides an insight into cervical cancer progression and may represent a novel therapeutic target.