MiR-105 inhibits gastric cancer cells metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting SOX9

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Gastric cancer is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy often diagnosed at advanced stages.
• MicroRNA-105 (miR-105) is recognized as a tumor suppressor, frequently downregulated in various cancers.
• Sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) is implicated in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms involving miR-105 and SOX9 in gastric cancer.
• To elucidate the regulatory relationship between miR-105 and SOX9.
• To assess the prognostic significance of miR-105 and SOX9 in gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

• Western blot analysis for protein expression (E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, SOX9).
• Transwell assays to evaluate cell migration and invasion capabilities.
• Luciferase reporter assays to confirm direct targeting of SOX9 by miR-105.

Main Results:

• MiR-105 was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells.
• MiR-105 suppressed gastric cancer cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
• SOX9 was upregulated and negatively correlated with miR-105; SOX9 knockdown inhibited migration, invasion, and EMT.
• SOX9 acts as a direct target of miR-105, and its upregulation partially reversed miR-105's inhibitory effects.
• Downregulation of miR-105 or upregulation of SOX9 correlated with poor patient prognosis.

Conclusions:

• MiR-105 inhibits gastric cancer progression, including cell migration, invasion, and EMT, by targeting SOX9.
• The miR-105/SOX9 axis represents a critical regulatory pathway in gastric cancer.
• Aberrant expression of miR-105 and SOX9 serves as a prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer.