MiR-92a-2-5p suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion by targeting PRDX2

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, often dysregulated in cancers like esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
• Peroxiredoxin2 (PRDX2) has been identified as an oncogene in ESCC, but its upstream regulators require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify upstream regulatory miRNAs targeting Peroxiredoxin2 (PRDX2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
• To investigate the functional role of miR-92a-2-5p in ESCC progression and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic analysis integrating miRWalk2.0 predictions and TCGA-ESCA database for miRNA identification.
• In vitro functional assays assessing ESCC cell proliferation and migration.
• In vivo tumor xenograft models to evaluate tumor growth inhibition.
• Western blot analysis to examine signaling pathway modulation (AKT/mTOR, Wnt3a/β-catenin).

Main Results:

• Eight potential miRNA candidates regulating PRDX2 were predicted, with miR-92a-2-5p identified as the primary candidate.
• miR-92a-2-5p mimic transfection significantly suppressed ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth in vivo.
• The tumor-suppressive effects of miR-92a-2-5p were associated with the inhibition of AKT/mTOR and Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• miR-92a-2-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in ESCC by directly targeting PRDX2.
• This study elucidates a novel regulatory mechanism of PRDX2 in ESCC, highlighting miR-92a-2-5p as a potential therapeutic target.