Diphthamide Biosynthesis 1 is a Novel Oncogene in Colorectal Cancer Cells and is Regulated by MiR-218-5p

Background/Aims: This study focused on the oncogenic role of Diphthamide biosynthesis 1 (DPH1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Methods: The expression of DPH1 was determined by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and western blotting in CRC tissues. The role of DPH1 in CRC cells was investigated via cell viability and invasion assays under the condition of DPH1 silencing or overexpression. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter analysis were used to identify the upstream microRNA which might regulate DPH1. The inverse correlation between the microRNA and DPH1 was also detected in CRC cells. Results: We identified an unexpected role for DPH1 as an oncogene in CRC cells. The tumour-suppressive miR-218-5p regulates DPH1 directly and negatively. Loss of miR-218-5p drives the oncogenic role of DPH1 in CRC cells. Conclusion: The modulation of DPH1 by miR-218-5p may be an important regulatory axis during CRCtumourigenesis. (C) 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel