MicroRNA-466 regulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of the human lung cancer cells by targeting transcription factor RUNX2

Purpose: Lung cancer causes significant mortality across the globe. This study aimed at the exploration of the regulatory role of microRNA (miR)-466 in lung cancer. Methods: qRT-PCR analysis was used to infer the expression levels of miR-466 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). CCK8 kit was used for assessment of cell proliferation. Colony forming assay was employed for examining the viability of cancer cells. The wound healing and Matrigel assays were used for investigating the rates of migration and invasion of cancer cells, respectively. Dual luciferase assay was performed to assess the interaction between miR-466 and RUNX2. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression. Results: The results indicated that miR-466 is downregu-lated in lung cancer cells. Its overexpression led to significant decline of proliferation of cancer cells. The migration and invasion of lung cancer cells transfected with mir-466 mimics also got repressed. At molecular level, the regulatory role of miR-466 was exerted through the RUNX2 transcription factor whose silencing mimicked the effects of miR-466 overexpression. Conclusion: Taken all together, miR-466 suppression is associated with the growth and progression of lung cancer. The miR-466 overexpression declined the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells and these effects were modulated through miR-466/RUNX2 molecular axis.