Suppression of proliferation, migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer cells via profilin 2 inhibition by microRNA-194

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of microRNA-194 (miR-194) and possible relationship with profilin 2.
Methods: The expressions of miR-194 and profilin 2 were investigated via  bioinformatic analysis and were further verified using quantitative real-time  polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in both normal and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay, together with transfection, was  applied to determine the effect of miR-194 and profilin 2 on proliferation, migration and invasion, and its underlying mechanisms.
Results: Relatively low expression of miR-194 and high expression of profilin 2 in cancerous lung tissue were found through bioinformatic analysis and further confirmed by qRT-PCR on normal and NSCLC cell lines. Profilin 2 was the direct target of miR-194. Also, miR-194 overexpression inhibited the proliferation,  migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, and this suppressive effect was partially  reversed by transfection of pcDNA3.1-PFN2 plasmid.
Conclusion: The results show that miR-194 plays a tumor suppressor role in NSCLC development. It inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells via profilin 2 suppression. Interventions targeting the miR-194/profilin 2 axis may  therefore serve as a clinical strategy for the prevention and treatment of NSCLC metastases.

Keywords: Non-small cell lung cancer, MicroRNA-194, Profilin 2, Proliferation, Migration, Invasion