Up-regulation of miR-203 inhibits the growth of cervical cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Purpose: MicroRNA-203 (miR-203) had previously been proved to alter in various cancers. In the present research, the authors attempted to assess the roles of miR-203 in cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Quantitative reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to testify the expression level of miR-203 in cervical cancer tissues and normal cervical control. Cell growth assay and colony formation were performed to explore the impact of overexpressed miR-203 on the proliferation of human SiHa cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis rates were also evaluated by flow cytometer, and we also confirmed that Bmi-1 was the direct target of miR-203 via luciferase assay and Western blot. Results: MiR-203 was significantly down-regulated in cervical cancer specimens compared with normal cervical tissues (p < 0.01). Functionally miR-203 could inhibit SiHa cell growth, increase G1-phase population and induce cell apoptosis. Mature miR-203 might decrease the expression of Bmi-1 assessed by luciferase assay and Western blot analysis. Conclusions: The present results indicated that miR-203 participate malignant process of cervical cancer as an anti-oncogenicmiRNA by targeting Bmi-1, inducing cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Mature miR-203 was supposed to be a perspective strategy for therapeutic intervention of human cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer; MicroRNA-203; Bmi-1

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