miR-647 inhibits glioma cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion by regulating HOXA9

Background MicroRNA-647 (miR-647) has been reported to regulate tumor development, although its role in glioma remains unclear. Methods miR-647 expression in glioma cells and normal cells was measured using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of miR-647 expression on glioma cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, colony formation and cell invasion were measured using a cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, a colony formation assay and a transwell invasion assay. Luciferase activity reporter and western blot assays were conducted to explore whether homeobox A9 (HOXA9) was a direct target of miR-647. Results We found that miR-647 expression was downregulated in glioma cell lines compared to the normal cell line. Overexpression of miR-647 inhibits glioma cell proliferation, colony formation and cell invasion, although it promotes apoptosis in vitro. HOXA9 was validated a direct target of miR-647 and the overexpression of HOXA9 reversed the effects of miR-647 on glioma cell behavior. Conclusions The identification of the miR-647/HOXA9 axis will advance our understanding underlying glioma progression and provide novel therapeutic targets for glioma treatment.