miR-142-3p inhibits cancer cell proliferation by targeting CDC25C

ObjectivesMicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to control of cell cycle progression and are frequently deregulated in cancer. The focus of this study was to determine effects of miR-142-3p on the cell cycle progression and cancer cell proliferation. Materials and methodsRT-qPCR was performed to determine expression of miR-142-3p in a range of cancer cell lines and in clinical cancer specimens. To further understand its role, we restored its expression in cancer cell lines by transfection with miR-142-3p mimics or inhibitors. Effects of miR-142-3p on cell cycle progression and cell proliferation were also determined. ResultsmiR-142-3p was down-regulated in both cancer cell lines and cancer specimens. Its overexpression suppressed proliferation, whereas its depletion promoted it. In addition, miR-142-3p lead to cell cycle arrest in G2/M. Moreover, CDC25C was identified as being a target of miR-142-3p, ectopic expression of which reversed suppression of cell proliferation. ConclusionsOur observations suggest that miR-142-3p functioned as a tumor suppressor by targeting CDC25C.