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Updated: Dec 24, 2025

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
Published on: May 21, 2019
MiR-20a acted as a ceRNA of lncRNA PTENPL and promoted bladder cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating
1Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. beishijijie5725701@163.com.
Objective:
Bladder cancer is the most frequent tumor of the urinary system. Despite variety of new treatment options, bladder cancer remains a main global medical problem. Our purpose was to explore the potential molecular and therapeutic targets of bladder cancer diagnosis.
Patients And Methods:
The qRT-PCR was used to assess the expression of miR-20a in tissues and cell lines. Counting Cell Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was carried out to evaluate cell proliferation. Cell migration was calculated using the transwell assay.
Results:
The expression of miR-20a increased and PDCD4 decreased in bladder cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Overexpression of miR-20a promoted T24 cell proliferation and migration, while miR-20a inhibitor suppressed cell proliferation and migration. MiR-20a targeted PDCD4 to regulate its expression in T24 cells. MiR-20a is inversely related to PDCD4 and PTENPL in bladder cancer tissues. Upregulation of PDCD4 suppressed T24 cell proliferation and migration.
Conclusions:
The PTENP1/miR-20a/PTEN axis was involved in the progression of bladder cancer. Our study investigated the function of miR-20a in bladder cancer and provided new insights into the treatment of bladder cancer.
Insights
MicroRNA-20a (miR-20a) promotes bladder cancer progression by targeting PDCD4. Inhibiting miR-20a or upregulating PDCD4 may offer new therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bladder cancer is a prevalent urinary system tumor with significant global health impact.
- Despite advancements, effective treatment options for bladder cancer remain a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular role of microRNA-20a (miR-20a) in bladder cancer.
- To explore miR-20a as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for miR-20a expression analysis.
- Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for cell proliferation assessment.
- Transwell assay for cell migration evaluation.
Main Results:
- miR-20a expression was elevated, while PDCD4 expression was decreased in bladder cancer tissues.
- Overexpression of miR-20a enhanced bladder cancer cell proliferation and migration.
- miR-20a directly targeted PDCD4, and PDCD4 upregulation inhibited cell proliferation and migration.
Conclusions:
- The PTENP1/miR-20a/PDCD4 axis plays a role in bladder cancer progression.
- miR-20a represents a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer, offering new treatment insights.
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