miR-30a-5p modulates traits of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) via forkhead box protein G1 (FOXG1)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Dermatology

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in regulating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• The precise mechanisms by which miRNAs influence cutaneous SCC (cSCC) remain incompletely understood.
• Investigating specific miRNAs like miR-30a-5p is crucial for understanding cSCC pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role of miR-30a-5p in the regulation of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
• To identify the molecular mechanism through which miR-30a-5p exerts its effects in cSCC.
• To explore miR-30a-5p as a potential therapeutic target for cSCC.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot for gene and protein expression analysis.
• Cell proliferation, cell cycle, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays.
• Bioinformatic prediction, luciferase assays, and in vitro cell line models (SCL-1, A431).

Main Results:

• miR-30a-5p expression was significantly downregulated in cSCC cell lines.
• Overexpression of miR-30a-5p inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion.
• miR-30a-5p induced G1 cell cycle arrest and modulated apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved Caspase-3).
• Forkhead box protein G1 (FOXG1) was identified as a direct target of miR-30a-5p.
• FOXG1 partially rescued the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of miR-30a-5p.

Conclusions:

• miR-30a-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in cSCC by targeting FOXG1.
• The miR-30a-5p/FOXG1 axis represents a novel regulatory pathway in cSCC progression.
• Targeting this pathway holds potential for future cSCC therapeutic strategies.