miR-205-5p/PTK7 axis is involved in the proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which are critical in a diverse range of biological processes, including development, differentiation, homeostasis, and in the formation of diseases by accelerating and/or inhibiting the translation of mRNAs. The present study aimed to examine the potential role of miRNA (miR)-205-5p in the developmental process of colorectal cancer (CRC) through protein-tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7). Initially, TargetScan was used to predict the miRNA target sites in the sequence of the PTK7 3-untranslated region. It was then found that the mRNA expression level of miR-205-5p was lower in CRC cells, determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, and there was a negative correlation between miR-205-5p and PTK7 in CRC tissues. It was also found that miR-205-5p regulated the gene transcription of PTK7, determined using a luciferase reporter assay. The results of RT-qPCR and western blot analyses in human colorectal cancer revealed that miR-205-5p suppressed the expression of PTK7. Finally, it was revealed that miR-205-5p restricted the proliferation ability of CRC cells through inhibiting PTK7, which was determined using colony forming and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. miR-205-5p accelerated cell apoptosis through inhibiting PTK7, demonstrated using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining. The results of a Transwell assay indicated that miR-205-5p inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells through inhibiting PTK7. Therefore, miR-205-5p is involved in the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC through inhibiting PTK7.