Open Access

ARTICLE

miR-940 Upregulation Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis by Targeting PKC-δ in Ovarian Cancer OVCAR3 Cells

Fang Wang, Zhihong Wang, Xiaoli Gu, Jinquan Cui

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China

Oncology Research 2017, 25(1), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.3727/096504016X14732772150145

Abstract

Ovarian cancer remains as one of the most threatening malignancies for females in the world. This study investigated the pivotal role of miR-940 in the progression of ovarian cancer and to reveal the possible molecular mechanism of its action. Ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cells were transfected with the miR-940 vector, miR-940 inhibitor, and/or small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PKC-d (si-PKC-δ), respectively. After transfection, cell viability and cell apoptosis were analyzed, as well as cell proliferation and apoptosis-related protein expression. Compared to the control, miR-940 upregulation suppressed cell viability but induced cell apoptosis. miR- 940 upregulation increased the expression of p27, Hes1, survivin, and caspase 3, but decreased the expression of PKC-δ. In addition, elevated cell viability induced by the miR-940 inhibitor was significantly decreased by knockdown of PKC-δ, and reduced cell apoptosis induced by the miR-940 inhibitor was increased by knockdown of PKC-δ. Taken together, the results of our study suggest that upregulation of miR-940 may function as a suppressor in the progression of ovarian cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis by targeting PKC-δ. This study may provide a basis for the possible application of miR-940 in illustrating the molecular pathogenic mechanism of ovarian cancer.

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