miR‑138 modulates prostate cancer cell invasion and migration via Wnt/β‑catenin pathway

The prognosis for prostate cancer patients with distant metastasis is poor, with an average survival rate of 24‑48 months. The exact mechanisms underlying prostate cancer metastasis remain to be elucidated, despite previous research efforts. The present study aimed to reveal the regulatory roles of miR‑138 via Wnt/β‑catenin pathway in prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels and transwell assay was conducted to determine cell invasion and migration. A luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the target association between miR‑138 and β‑catenin. The present study identified microRNA (miR)‑138 as an invasion and migration regulator in prostate cancer. miR‑138 was downregulated in aggressive prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, followingmiR‑138 overexpression, prostate cancer cells exhibited impaired invasive and migratory abilities. E‑cadherin was upregulated and vimentin was downregulated. In addition, it was demonstrated that miR‑138 negatively regulated the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway activation in prostate cancer. The pathway was then activated via β‑catenin overexpression and this reversed the effects of miR‑138. The results suggest that miR‑138 downregulation may contribute to prostate cancer progression and metastasis. The findings provide a novel molecular therapeutic target in the treatment of prostate cancer metastasis.