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miR-148a suppresses human renal cell carcinoma malignancy by targeting AKT2

Huiyan Cao1, Zhiming Liu1, Rong Wang2

  • 1Department of Urological Surgery, People's Hospital of Qinghai, Xining, Qinghai 810007, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|November 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a) acts as a tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Its downregulation correlates with advanced cancer stages, and restoring miR-148a inhibits RCC growth by targeting AKT2.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a) deregulation is noted in various cancers.
  • Its specific role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical significance, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of miR-148a in RCC.
  • To determine if miR-148a acts as a tumor suppressor in RCC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis to assess miR-148a and AKT2 expression.
  • In vitro functional assays (proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion) and in vivo xenograft models.
  • Luciferase reporter assays to confirm direct targeting of AKT2 by miR-148a.

Main Results:

  • miR-148a was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues and cell lines, correlating with larger tumor size, advanced TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis.
  • Overexpression of miR-148a inhibited RCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth.
  • AKT2 was identified as a direct target of miR-148a; AKT2 expression was inversely correlated with miR-148a levels in RCC tissues.

Conclusions:

  • miR-148a functions as a tumor suppressor in RCC.
  • miR-148a inhibits RCC progression by targeting and downregulating AKT2, thereby suppressing the AKT pathway.

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