miR-34a inhibits migration and invasion by down-regulation of c-Met expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Cancer Lett. 2009 Mar 8;275(1):44-53. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.09.035. Epub 2008 Nov 8.

Abstract

Several studies have shown that miR-34a represses the expression of many genes and induces G1 arrest, apoptosis, and senescence. In the present study, we identified the role of miR-34a in the regulation of tumor cell scattering, migration, and invasion. Down-regulation of miR-34a expression was highly significant in 19 of 25 (76%) human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and associated with the metastasis and invasion of tumors. Furthermore, resected normal/tumor tissues of 25 HCC patients demonstrated an inverse correlation between miR-34a and c-Met-protein. In HepG2 cells, ectopic expression of miR-34a potently inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion in a c-Met-dependent manner. miR-34a directly targeted c-Met and reduced both mRNA and protein levels of c-Met; thus, decreased c-Met-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Taken together, these results provide evidence to show the suppression role of miR-34a in tumor migration and invasion through modulation of the c-Met signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3