MicroRNA-19a functions as an oncogene by regulating PTEN/AKT/pAKT pathway in myeloma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in human cancers including myeloma. MiR-19a is one of the oncogenic miR-17-92 clusters, which is identified as a key oncogenic component in many cancers. Nevertheless, the function of miR-19a in myeloma has not been totally elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biological functions of miR-19a in MM. In vitro, we detected that the miR-19a-3p is overexpressed in myeloma cells. The proliferation and invision of myeloma cells are analyzed by MTT and BD matrigel assays, respectively. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of apoptotic/drug resistance-related main control proteins BCL-2 and MDR1 in myeloma cells after transfected with miR-19a-3p. Finally, we found miR-19a acts as an oncogene in MM by promoting cell proliferation/invision and inhibiting apoptosis. Additionally, We further showed that the mRNA and protein of BCL-2 and MDR were upregulated significantly after elevated expression of miR-19a, the process of which was regulated by PTEN/AKT/pAKT-signaling pathway. Our results suggest that miR-19a acted as an oncogenic miRNA by targeting PTEN in myeloma. This novel miR-19a/PTEN/AKT axis sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying apoptosis and invision and may provide potentially therapeutic targets for the treatment of myeloma.