Down-regulation of microRNA-143 is associated with colorectal cancer progression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent carcinomas worldwide. Tumor metastasis and recurrence are leading causes of CRC-related deaths. Given the role of microRNA (miRNA) in CRC invasion and metastasis, we explored the association between miRNA-143 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics in CRC, as well as the effects of miRNA-143 on CRC cell invasion in vitro.

Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to assess the expression of miR-143 in tissue specimens and cell lines. CCK-8 test and transwell assay were conducted to explore the effects of miR-143 on the proliferation and invasion of CRC cell lines, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay and transfection technique were used to validate the correlation between miR-143 and epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (ERBB3) in CRC.

miR-143 was down-regulated in human CRC tissues, its expression negatively correlated with CRC metastasis. miR-143 negatively regulated ERBB3 expression by directly targeting its 3'UTR in human colorectal cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-143 inhibited CRC cells invasion but did not affect its proliferation in vitro. Knockdown of ERBB3 also significantly suppressed CRC cells invasion.

These data suggest that miR-143 suppressed the invasion and metastasis ability by suppressing ERBB3 expression in CRC cells, providing a novel and promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of CRC.