Open Access

ARTICLE

MicroRNA-384 Inhibits the Growth and Invasion of Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeting Astrocyte Elevated Gene 1

Haitao Song^*, Yanwei Rao^†, Gang Zhang^*, Xiangbo Kong^*

* Department of Urinary Surgery, China–Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
† Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jilin Province People’s Hospital, Changchun, P.R. China

Oncology Research 2018, 26(3), 457-466. https://doi.org/10.3727/096504017X15035025554553

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MicroRNA-384 (miR-384) has been found to be an important cancer-related miRNA in several types of cancers. However, the role of miR-384 in RCC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential function of miR-384 in regulating tumorigenesis in RCC. Here we found that miR-384 was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-384 significantly inhibited the growth and invasion of RCC cells, whereas inhibition of miR-384 had the opposite effects. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-384 directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region of astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1). Further data showed that miR-384 could negatively regulate the expression of AEG-1 in RCC cells. Importantly, miR-384 expression was inversely correlated with AEG-1 expression in clinical RCC specimens. Moreover, miR-384 regulates the activation of Wnt signaling. Overexpression of AEG-1 significantly reversed the antitumor effects of miR-384. Overall, these findings suggest that miR-384 suppresses the growth and invasion of RCC cells via downregulation of AEG-1, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of RCC.

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