Increasing miR-150 and lowering HMGA2 inhibit proliferation and cycle progression of colon cancer in SW480 cells

High mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) is a kind of oncogene that regulates cell proliferation and cycle. HMGA2 up-regulation is related to the occurrence of multiple tumors including colorectal cancer. MiR-150 is found down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissue. Bioinformatics analysis shows the complementary targeted relationship between miR-150 and the 3'-UTR of HMGA2. This study explores the role of microRNA-150 (miR-150) in regulating HMGA2 expression, colorectal cancer cell proliferation, and cycle.

Colorectal cancer patients were enrolled to collect cancer and para-carcinoma tissues. MiR-150 and HMGA2 expressions were tested in tissue. MiR-150, HMGA2, and Cyclin A levels in colorectal cancer cell line SW480, and normal colorectal epithelial cell line FHC were compared. The targeted relationship between miR-150 and the 3'-UTR of HMGA2 was evaluated by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. SW480 cells were divided into five groups, including miR-control, miR-150 mimic, small interfere normal control (si-NC), si-HMGA2, and miR-150 mimic + si-HMGA2. Cell cycle was determined by using flow cytometry. The cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) test.

HMGA2 expression was significantly increased, while miR-150 levels were significantly declined in colorectal cancer tissue compared with that in para-carcinoma tissue (p<0.05). HMGA2 and Cyclin A levels were higher significantly, whereas miR-150 expression was lower significantly in SW480 cells compared to that in FHC cells (p<0.05). MiR-150 targeted band to the 3'-UTR of HMGA. MiR-150 mimic and/or si-HMGA2 significantly reduced HMGA2 and Cyclin A expressions, blocked cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and attenuated cell proliferation.

We observed that miR-150 down-regulated Cyclin A expression to block colorectal cancer cell cycle and inhibit proliferation through targeted inhibiting HMGA2.