FHL1 Inhibition by Mir-1301-3p Promotes Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Migration: A Prognostic Insight.

BACKGROUND

The impact of microRNA-1301-3p (miR-1301-3p) on various cancer subtypes is noteworthy. However, its specific role within the framework of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is yet to be clearly defined.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to investigate and clarify the function of miR-1301-3p in relation to UCEC.

METHODS

Sample data for our study were sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Using various statistical techniques, we assessed the potential of miR-1301-3p as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator, as well as its association with clinical characteristics. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the genes targeted by miR-1301-3p. The expression levels of miR-1301-3p in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) cell lines were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cellular viability and migratory capacity were measured using the CCK8 assay and Transwell migration assays, respectively. Moreover, the expression levels of genes and proteins targeted by miR-1301-3p were identified through dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Expression patterns of miR-1301-3p varied across cancer subtypes, which were significantly linked to specific histological classifications, achieving statistical significance (p < 0.001). In UCEC, higher miR-1301-3p levels correlated with reduced overall survival (p = 0.012) and progression-free survival (p = 0.016), and it emerged as an independent prognostic marker for UCEC. A comparative analysis revealed significantly higher miR-1301-3p levels in UCEC cell lines compared to normal endometrial epithelial cells. Four and a half LIM domains 1 (FHL1) exhibited a negative correlation with miR-1301-3p levels within UCEC tissue samples. miR-1301-3p was shown to promote UCEC cell proliferation and migration through its binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the FHL1 gene, thereby repressing FHL1 expression. Additionally, augmenting FHL1 levels was observed to counteract the enhancing impact of miR-1301-3p on UCEC cells.

CONCLUSION

miR-1301-3p regulates the proliferation and migration of UCEC cells by interacting with the FHL1 gene. miR-1301-3p may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker in UCEC.