Abstract

Objective: To identify the potential role of miR-490-3p in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to explore the possible underlying mechanism. Patients and methods: Human ESCC tissues and cancer-adjacent normal tissues were collected. The mRNA expression level of miR-490-3p was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). On-line target gene prediction software was applied to screen high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2). Subsequently, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), qRT-PCR, Western blotting, transwell and scratch-wound assays were conducted to analyze the effect of miR-490-3p on the biological function of the ESCC cell line (EC-109). Results: In our study, the mRNA expression level of miR-490-3p was remarkably reduced in ESCC tissues and cells. Molecular mechanism analysis confirmed that miR-490-3p could act on the 3'-UTR of HMGA2 and regulate its expression. Subsequent functional experiments indicated that decreased expression of HMGA2 resulting from the up-regulation of miR-490-3p could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ESCC cells. Conclusions: We discovered the inhibitory effect of miR-490-3p on ESCC by targeting HMGA2, and revealed that miR-490-3p could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.