MiRNA-93-5p promotes the biological progression of gastric cancer cells via Hippo signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the influence of microRNA-93-5p (miRNA-93-5p) on biological behaviors of gastric cancer (GC) cells and its regulatory effect on Hippo pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SGC-7901 and HGC-27 cells were used for establishing miRNA-93-5p overexpression and downregulation model through transfection of miRNA-93-5p mimics or inhibitor, respectively. Relative levels of genes in Hippo pathway were determined in GC cells transfected with miRNA-93-5p mimics or inhibitor by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Regulatory effects of miRNA-93-5p on proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of GC cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS: MiRNA-93-5p was markedly upregulated by transfection of miRNA-93-5p mimics into SGC-7901 cells, which was downregulated by transfection of miRNA-93-5p inhibitor into HGC-27 cells. Overexpression of miRNA-93-5p accelerated GC cells to proliferate, migrate and invade. Meanwhile, miRNA-93-5p overexpression in GC cells upregulated downstream genes in Hippo pathway, including CDX2, FOXM1 and CTGF. CONCLUSIONS: MiRNA-93-5p enhances proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of GC cells by activating Hippo pathway, which may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for GC.