MiR-144 Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting TIGAR

BACKGROUND: MiRNAs are noncoding RNAs of 20-24 nucleotides that function as post-transcriptional negative regulators of gene expression. MiRNA genes are usually transcribed by RNA polymerase II in the nucleus. Their initial products are pre-miRNAs which have cap sequences and polyA tails. The p53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) was discovered through microarray analysis of gene expression following activation of p53. However, little is known about the effect of miR-144 on cell proliferation and apoptosis and how it interacts with TIGAR. METHODS:We performed real-time PCR, western blotting, CCK8, colony formation, tumor growth, flow cytometry, Caspase3/7 activity, Hoechst 33342 staining, MDC staining of autophagic cells and luciferase reporter assays to detect the influence of miR-144 to lung cancer cells. RESULTS: miR-144 targeted TIGAR, inhibited proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and increased autophagy in A549 and H460 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study improves our understanding of the mechanisms underlying lung cancer pathogenesis and may promote the development of novel targeted therapies. Copyright (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel