MicroRNA-374a-5p/ANLN axis promotes malignant progression of Oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Recent research has revealed a significant association between Anillin (ANLN) and miR-374a-5p with the progression of tumors. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis indicated an inverse relationship in transcript expression levels between ANLN and miR-374a-5p. However, the specific mechanisms driving the miR-374a-5p/ANLN signaling axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not been thoroughly explored. Methods: ANLN and miR-374a-5p expression were evaluated within OSCC cell lines and tissues by RT-qPCR. Using bioinformatics databases, it has been demonstrated that the ANLN gene could be a target of miR-374a-5p. MiR-374a-5p and ANLN correlation could be assessed via the dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting techniques. Functional studies were employed to investigate the behavioral patterns of miR-374a-5p within OSCC cells. Results: miR-374a-5p expression could be remarkably downregulated within both OSCC tissues and cells, coinciding with high ANLN expression. ANLN was a specific target gene for miR-374a-5p by luciferase function assay. The expression of miR-374a-5p could serve as a diagnostic biomarker and independently predict a poor prognosis in patients with OSCC, and the counteractive effect of upregulating miR-374a-5p was observed on the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities of OSCC cells. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the miR-374a-5p/ANLN signaling axis potentially modulates the advancement of OSCC, and miR-374a-5p may serve as potential therapeutic targets of oral cancer.