Regulation of Twist in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by miR-92b

OBJECTIVE: It is well documented that some microRNAs (miRNAs) regulates tumorigenesis and cancer metastases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, a role of miR-92b in control of the metastasis of NSCLC has not been acknowledged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we reported that miR-92b levels were significantly decreased and Twist levels were significantly increased in NSCLC specimens, compared to paired adjacent non-tumor lung tissue. Moreover, the levels of miR-92b and Twist inversely correlated. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analyses and luciferase-reporter assay showed that miR-92b targeted the 3'-UTR of Twist mRNA to inhibit its translation. Overexpression of miR-92b inhibited Twist-mediated cell invasiveness, while depletion of miR-92b increased Twist-mediated cell invasiveness in either a transwell cell migration assay or a scratch wound healing assay. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data suggest that re-expression of miR-92b may inhibit Twist-mediated NSCLC metastasis.