miR-181a-2-3p Stimulates Gastric Cancer Progression Targeting MYLK.

The abnormal expression of miRNAs facilitates tumorigenesis and development. miR-181a-2-3p is up-regulated in various cancers, yet its mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive. To understand mechanism of miR-181a-2-3p stimulating GC cell progression targeting Myosin Light Chain Kinase (MYLK) expression. Downstream genes of miRNA of interest were predicted in TargetScan and miRTarBase. qRT-PCR and western blot were applied to assess miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK expression in GC cells and normal cells. Dual-luciferase and RIP assays were completed to assess binding of miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted for detecting viability of AGS and SNU-1 cells, while Transwell tested migratory and invasive abilities of cells. Nude mouse transplantation tumor experiment was performed to assay tumor growth . miR-181a-2-3p was notably increased in human GC cell lines, while MYLK was remarkably down-regulated. RIP and dual-luciferase assay disclosed that miR-181a-2-3p targeted MYLK and repressed MYLK. Forced miR-181a-2-3p expression fostered GC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and fostered tumor growth . Promoting effect of miR-181a-2-3p on GC cells was reversed when miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK were simultaneously overexpressed. miR-181a-2-3p facilitated GC cell progression by targeting MYLK, and it may be a pivotal prognostic biomarker in investigating molecular mechanism of GC.