MicroRNA-129-3p Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Proliferation

MicroRNA-129-3p plays a pro-cancer role in colorectal cancer by down-regulating BIM. This study intends to assess its role in colorectal cancer cells. A total of 30 colorectal cancers and 10 paracancerous samples were obtained to measure MicroRNA-129-3p expression by PCR. Colorectal cancer cells were transfected with miR-129-3p mimic or inhibitor followed by analysis of cell growth, apoptosis. miR-129-3p expression was significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues than that in cancer adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). miR-129-3p overexpression after mimic transfection significantly inhibited cancer cell viability and promoted apoptosis (P < 0.05). Moreover, it also significantly downregulated E2F5, BIM and FoxO3a in colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, E2F5 was targeted by miR-129-3p. In conclusion, miR-129-3p inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation via targeting E2F5 to downregulate BIM, indicating that it might be a target for treating colorectal cancer.