MiRNA-191 functions as an oncogene in primary glioblastoma by directly targeting NDST1

Glioblastoma is identified as the most aggressive primary brain tumor. Growing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expression of miR-191 has oncogenic potentiality in many cancers. However, the effects and the underlying mechanisms of miR-191 in the development of glioblastoma remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the pathobiological functions of miR-191 expression by targeting N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase 1 (NDST1) in human glioblastoma.

The miR-191 level in human glioblastoma tissues and four cell lines was examined using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Animals study and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay were used to examine the effects of miR-191 on human glioblastoma proliferation. Western blot and Luciferase reporter were used to confirm that miR-191 could regulate NDST1 expression.

We found that the miR-191 expression was upregulated in human glioblastoma tissues and cells. MiR-191 over-expression was sufficient to promote human glioblastoma cells growth in vivo and in vitro. We also found that miR-191 directly targeted NDST1 and negatively regulated the NDST1 expression in human glioblastoma cells.

In summary, our finding suggested that miR-191 acted as an important regulator in promoting glioblastoma cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro, and this cellular function may be because of its negative regulation of NDST1.