Hsa-miR-301a-3p Acts as an Oncogene in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Target Regulation of Smad4

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the second most common malignant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Exploring the molecular indicators of malignant behavior will enhance our knowledge of this type cancer and provide novel options for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. MicroRNA might exert regulatory roles as oncogenes or anti-oncogenes. We studied the expression of miR-301a-3p in LSCC tissues and cell lines and conducted a functional analysis of miR-301a-3p to confirm if miR-301a-3p functions as an oncogene in LSCC. We found Smad4 to be one of the potential target genes of miR-301a-3p, and it functioned as a tumor suppressor in LSCC. Hsa-miR-301a-3p participated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is considered to be linked to the process of LSCC development. Our present findings indicate that miR-301a-3p acts as an oncogene by directly regulating the anti-oncogene Smad4, thereby playing a role in the occurrence and development of LSCC. The present findings are expected to help in the development of novel targets for the prevention and treatment of LSCC.