Functional Effects of Expression in Colon Cancer Metastasis.

MicroRNA regulation is crucial for gene expression and cell functions. It has been linked to tumorigenesis, development and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, the family has been identified as a tumor suppressor in different types of cancers. However, the function of the family in CRC metastasis has not been fully investigated. Here, we focused on analyzing the role of in CRC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) genomic datasets of CRC and detailed data from a Taiwanese CRC cohort were applied to study the expression pattern of . In addition, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been performed to uncover the effects of on CRC. We found that the expression of was significantly lower in CRC specimens. Our results further supported the inhibitory effects of on CRC cell migration, invasion and extracellular calcium influx through store-operated calcium channels. We report a critical role for in the pathogenesis of CRC and suggest as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.