MiR-1281 downregulates LMX1B to inhibit gastric cancer development

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent and life-threatening malignancy worldwide, with its complex pathogenesis remaining incompletely understood. Identifying novel molecular mechanisms underlying gastric cancer development is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment strategies. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-1281 and its target gene LMX1B in gastric cancer progression. We employed a series of experimental techniques, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure the expression levels of miR-1281 in gastric cancer cell lines and clinical tissue samples. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the direct binding between miR - 1281 and the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of LMX1B mRNA. Functional assays such as cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays were carried out to evaluate the effects of miR-1281 and LMX1B on gastric cancer cell behaviors. The results showed that miR-1281 was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines compared with normal counterparts. Overexpression of miR-1281 remarkably inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that miR-1281 directly targeted the 3'-UTR of LMX1B mRNA, leading to decreased LMX1B expression. Conversely, knockdown of LMX1B phenocopied the effects of miR-1281 overexpression, while restoration of LMX1B expression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-1281 on gastric cancer cells. In addition, clinical correlation analysis revealed that low miR-1281 expression was associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients, while high LMX1B expression showed an opposite correlation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miR-1281 functions as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by downregulating LMX1B expression. The miR - 1281/LMX1B axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of gastric cancer development and offering novel strategies for its treatment.