MiR-1271 inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting LDHA in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most frequent malignant with high incidence worldwide. The poor prognosis of EC is mainly due to the lack of efficient treatment and diagnosis. The biological role of microRNA-1271 (miR-1271) in EC is still unknown. In the current research, we mainly aimed to figure out the role of miR-1271 in EC progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-1271 expression in EC was evaluated by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay were employed to examine cell proliferation ability. Transwell assay and Matrigel assay were conducted to detect cell migration and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were employed to predict and verify the target genes of miR-1271. The protein level of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was assessed by Western blotting with normalization to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). RESULTS: MiR-1271 was downregulated in EC through qRT-PCR determination. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay indicated that over-expression of miR-1271 suppressed cell proliferation in EC. Through the transwell assay and Matrigel assay, the data indicated that miR-1271 suppressed cell migration and invasion. By bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, LDHA was verified to be a direct down stream target of miR-1271. In the rescue assay, it was proved that miR-1271 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating LDHA in EC. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that miR-1271 functioned as a tumor suppressor in EC by targeting LDHA, which may bring a novel insight for developing novel biomarkers and treatment strategies in EC.