MicroRNA-126 inhibits cell proliferation in gastric cancer by targeting LAT-1.

MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) is a pivotal post-transcriptional regulator, which has been validated as a suppressor in gastric cancer (GC). However, the downstream of its tumor inhibiting function has not been totally clear. L-type amino-acid transporter 1 (LAT-1) is a novel member of system L-type transporters involving in cell proliferation, and we have previously validated that LAT-1 played a role of promotor in GC. In this study, we further detected and confirmed that LAT-1 was exactly targeted by miR-126 in GC. We found LAT-1 was significantly downregulated in GC MKN-45 cell lines by using miR-126 mimics, along with an impairment on cell proliferation and cell cycle. Additionally, by overexpressing LAT-1 in MKN-45 cells which was firstly treated with miR-126 mimics, the ability of cell proliferation in MKN-45 cells was definitely rescued. Thus, our results suggests and consolidates the standpoint that miR-126 plays a pivotal role in GC suppressing the process of GC cell, and this function is at least partly taken to implement by miR-126s's post-transcriptional effect on LAT-1. This might provide us likely potential biomarkers and targets for GC prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic treatment.